Romance, Chapter 106

Chapter 106. Gongsun Yuan Is Defeated and Dies at Xiangping; Sima Yi Feigns Illness and Deceives Cao Shuang

Now Gongsun Yuan was the grandson of Gongsun Du of Liaodong and the son of Gongsun Kang. In the twelfth year of Jianan, when Cao Cao was pursuing Yuan Shang, before Cao Cao had even reached Liaodong, Gongsun Kang cut off Yuan Shang’s head and presented it to him, and Cao Cao made Gongsun Kang Marquis of Xiangping. Later Gongsun Kang died, leaving two sons, the elder named Huang and the younger Yuan. Both were still young, so Gongsun Kang’s younger brother Gongsun Gong succeeded to his post. In the time of Cao Pi, Gongsun Gong was made General of Chariots and Cavalry and Marquis of Xiangping.

卻說公孫淵乃遼東公孫度之孫，公孫康之子也。建安十二年，曹操追袁尚，未到遼東，康斬尚首級獻操，操封康爲襄平侯；後康死，有二子：長曰晃，次曰淵，皆幼；康弟公孫恭繼職。曹丕時封恭爲車騎將軍、襄平侯。

In the second year of Taihe, Gongsun Yuan had grown up. Accomplished in both letters and arms, stubborn by nature and fond of fighting, he seized the post of his uncle Gongsun Gong, and Cao Rui made him General Who Spreads Valor and Prefect of Liaodong. Later Sun Quan sent Zhang Mi and Xu Yan to Liaodong with gold, pearls and precious jades to make Gongsun Yuan King of Yan. But Gongsun Yuan feared the Central Plain, so he beheaded Zhang and Xu and sent their heads to Cao Rui. Cao Rui made him Grand Marshal and Duke of Lelang.

太和二年，淵長大，文武兼備，性剛好鬥，奪其叔公孫恭之位，曹睿封淵爲揚烈將軍、遼東太守。後孫權遣張彌、許晏齎金珠珍玉赴遼東，封淵爲燕王。淵懼中原，乃斬張、許二人，送首與曹睿。睿封淵爲大司馬、樂浪公。

Still not satisfied, Gongsun Yuan consulted with his followers, styled himself King of Yan and changed the reign title to the first year of Shaohan. His lieutenant Jia Fan remonstrated, “The Central Plain treats you, my lord, with the rank of a high duke, which is no mean or lowly position. If you now turn against them and rebel, it will truly be against what is right. Besides, Sima Yi is skilled in the use of troops. Even the Martial Marquis Zhuge of Western Shu could not defeat him; how much less can you, my lord?” Gongsun Yuan flew into a rage and shouted to his attendants to bind Jia Fan, meaning to behead him.

淵心不足，與衆商議，自號爲燕王，改元紹漢元年。副將賈範諫曰：“中原待主公以上公之爵，不爲卑賤；今若背反，實爲不順。更兼司馬懿善能用兵，西蜀諸葛武侯且不能取勝，何況主公乎？”淵大怒，叱左右縛賈範，將斬之。

The Military Adviser Lun Zhi remonstrated, “What Jia Fan says is right. The sage said, ‘When a state is about to perish, there are sure to be evil portents.’ Now strange and uncanny things have been seen again and again in our land. Not long ago a dog put on a headcloth, draped itself in red clothes, climbed onto a roof and walked about like a man. Then again, when a villager south of the city was cooking rice, a small child was suddenly found steamed to death inside the steamer. In the north market of Xiangping the ground suddenly caved in to form a pit, and out of it welled a lump of flesh several feet around, complete with head, face, eyes, ears, mouth and nose, lacking only hands and feet. Neither sword nor arrow could wound it, and no one knew what it was.

參軍倫直諫曰：“賈範之言是也。聖人云：國家將亡，必有妖孽。今國中屢見怪異之事：近有犬戴巾幘，身披紅衣，上屋作人行；又城南鄉民造飯，飯甑之中，忽有一小兒蒸死於內；襄平北市中，地忽陷一穴，湧出一塊肉，周圍數尺，頭面眼耳口鼻都具，獨無手足，刀箭不能傷，不知何物。

A diviner who cast lots over it said, ‘It has form but is not complete; it has a mouth but no voice. The state is going to perish, and so this shape has appeared.’ These three things are all inauspicious omens. You should avoid what is ill-fated and pursue what is fortunate, my lord, and not act rashly.” Gongsun Yuan flew into a furious rage and shouted to his guards to bind Lun Zhi, and he was beheaded in the market together with Jia Fan. Then Gongsun Yuan made his Grand General Bei Yan commander-in-chief and Yang Zuo the vanguard, raised a hundred and fifty thousand troops of Liaodong and marched to attack the Central Plain.

卜者佔之曰：有形不成，有口無聲；國家亡滅，故現其形。有此三者，皆不祥之兆也。主公宜避凶就吉，不可輕舉妄動。”淵勃然大怒，叱武士綁倫直並賈範同斬於市。令大將軍卑衍爲元帥，楊祚爲先鋒，起遼兵十五萬，殺奔中原來。

The frontier officials reported this to Cao Rui, the Ruler of Wei. Greatly alarmed, Cao Rui summoned Sima Yi to court to discuss it. Sima Yi memorialized, “The forty thousand government troops, horse and foot, under my command are quite enough to crush the rebels.” Cao Rui said, “Your troops are few and the road is long. I fear it will be hard to recover the territory.” Sima Yi said, “Victory lies not in numbers but in devising surprises and using one’s wits. Relying on Your Majesty’s great fortune, I will surely capture Gongsun Yuan and present him to Your Majesty.” Cao Rui said, “What do you expect Gongsun Yuan to do?”

邊官報知魏主曹睿。睿大驚，乃召司馬懿入朝計議。懿奏曰：“臣部下馬步官軍四萬，足可破賊。”睿曰：“卿兵少路遠，恐難收復。”懿曰：“兵不在多，在能設奇用智耳。臣託陛下洪福，必擒公孫淵以獻陛下。”睿曰：“卿料公孫淵作何舉動？”

Sima Yi said, “If Gongsun Yuan abandons his city and flees beforehand, that will be his best plan. If he holds Liaodong to resist our great army, that will be his middling plan. If he sits tight in Xiangping, that will be his worst plan, and he is sure to be captured by me.” Cao Rui asked, “How long will it take to go there and back?” Sima Yi said, “It is a distance of four thousand li: a hundred days to go, a hundred days to attack, a hundred days to return and sixty days to rest. About a year will be enough.” Cao Rui said, “What if Wu or Shu should invade in the meantime?”

懿曰：“淵若棄城預走，是上計也；守遼東拒大軍，是中計也；坐守襄平，是爲下計，必被臣所擒矣。”睿曰：“此去往復幾時？”懿曰：“四千裏之地，往百日，攻百日，還百日，休息六十日，大約一年足矣。”睿曰：“倘吳、蜀入寇，如之奈何？”

Sima Yi said, “I have already settled on a plan of defense. Your Majesty need not worry.” Cao Rui was delighted and at once ordered Sima Yi to raise an army and march against Gongsun Yuan.

懿曰：“臣已定下守禦之策，陛下勿憂。”睿大喜，即命司馬懿興師征討公孫淵。

Sima Yi took leave of the court and left the city. He made Hu Zun the vanguard and had him lead the forward troops ahead to Liaodong to pitch camp. Scouting horsemen raced to report to Gongsun Yuan, who ordered Bei Yan and Yang Zuo to take eighty thousand troops and station them at Liaosui. They dug a moat more than twenty li around and ringed it with stakes and abatis, making it very secure. Hu Zun sent a man to report this to Sima Yi. Sima Yi laughed and said, “The rebels will not fight me because they want to wear my troops out. I reckon that most of their men are here, so their den must be empty. Better to abandon this place and head straight for Xiangping. The rebels are sure to go to its rescue, and then we can strike them on the way. We are sure to win complete success.” So he led his troops by a byroad toward Xiangping.

懿辭朝出城，令胡遵爲先鋒，引前部兵先到遼東下寨。哨馬飛報公孫淵。淵令卑衍，楊祚分八萬兵屯於遼隧，圍塹二十餘里，環繞鹿角，甚是嚴密。胡遵令人報知司馬懿。懿笑曰：“賊不與我戰，欲老我兵耳。我料賊衆大半在此，其巢穴空虛，不若棄卻此處，徑奔襄平；賊必往救，卻於中途擊之，必獲全功。”於是勒兵從小路向襄平進發。

Meanwhile Bei Yan was consulting with Yang Zuo. “If the Wei troops come to attack, we must not give battle. They have come a thousand li, their supplies of grain and fodder cannot keep up, and they will find it hard to hold out for long. When their grain runs out they are sure to retreat. Wait until they are retreating, then send out a surprise force to strike them, and Sima Yi can be taken. Once, when Sima Yi was facing the Shu army, he held fast south of the Wei River, and Kongming ended up dying in his camp. Today the principle is exactly the same.”

卻說卑衍與楊祚商議曰：“若魏兵來攻，休與交戰。彼千里而來，糧草不繼，難以持久，糧盡必退；待他退時，然後出奇兵擊之，司馬懿可擒也。昔司馬懿與蜀兵相拒，堅守渭南，孔明竟卒于軍中：今日正與此理相同。”

While the two of them were still deliberating, it was suddenly reported, “The Wei troops have gone south.” Bei Yan was greatly alarmed. “They know we have few troops in Xiangping and are going to raid our home base. If Xiangping is lost, there is no use in our holding this place.” So they struck camp and set off after the enemy. Scouts had already raced to report this to Sima Yi, who laughed and said, “They have fallen into my trap!” He then ordered Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei each to lead a force and lie in ambush on the bank of the Liao River. “When the Liaodong troops arrive, come out together from both sides.”

二人正商議間，忽報：“魏兵往南去了。”卑衍大驚曰：“彼知吾襄平軍少，去襲老營也。若襄平有失，我等守此處無益矣。”遂拔寨隨後而起。早有探馬飛報司馬懿。懿笑曰：“中吾計矣！”乃令夏侯霸、夏侯威，各引一軍伏於遼水之濱：“如遼兵到，兩下齊出。”

The two of them received their orders and went. Soon they saw Bei Yan and Yang Zuo coming with their troops. At the boom of a signal gun, drums rolled and banners waved on both sides, and Xiahou Ba on the left and Xiahou Wei on the right charged out together. Bei and Yang had no heart for a fight and cut their way out and fled. When they reached Mount Shou they met Gongsun Yuan’s troops just arriving. Joining forces, they wheeled their horses and fought the Wei troops again. Bei Yan rode out and cursed, “Rebel generals, stop your tricks!

二人受計而往。早望見卑衍、楊祚引兵前來。一聲炮響，兩邊鼓譟搖旗：左有夏侯霸、右有夏侯威，一齊殺出。卑、楊二人，無心戀戰，奪路而走；奔至首山，正逢公孫淵兵到，合兵一處，回馬再與魏兵交戰。卑衍出馬罵曰：“賊將休使詭計！

Do you dare come out and fight?” Xiahou Ba spurred his horse forward and met him with whirling blade. Before they had fought many bouts, Xiahou Ba cut Bei Yan down from his horse with a single stroke, and the Liaodong troops fell into great confusion. Xiahou Ba drove his men on to cut them down, and Gongsun Yuan fled with his defeated troops into the city of Xiangping, shut the gates and held it firmly, refusing to come out. The Wei troops surrounded the city on all four sides.

汝敢出戰否？”夏侯霸縱馬揮刀來迎。戰不數合，被夏侯霸一刀斬卑衍於馬下，遼兵大亂。霸驅兵掩殺，公孫淵引敗兵奔入襄平城去，閉門堅守不出。魏兵四面圍合。

It happened that the autumn rains came on without let-up and did not stop for a whole month. The water on level ground was three feet deep, and the grain boats sailed from the mouth of the Liao River right up to the walls of Xiangping. The Wei troops were all standing in water and could neither walk nor sit in comfort. The Commander of the Left, Pei Jing, came into the tent and said, “The rain will not stop and the camp is a quagmire. The army cannot stay here. I beg you to move up onto the hills ahead.” Sima Yi said angrily, “The capture of Gongsun Yuan is a matter of a morning or an evening. How can we move camp?

時值秋雨連綿，一月不止，平地水深三尺，運糧船自遼河口直至襄平城下。魏兵皆在水中，行坐不安。左都督裴景入帳告曰：“雨水不住，營中泥濘，軍不可停，請移於前面山上。”懿怒曰：“捉公孫淵只在旦夕，安可移營？

If anyone speaks of moving camp again, he will be beheaded!” Pei Jing murmured his assent and withdrew. A little later the Commander of the Right, Qiu Lian, came in his turn and said, “The soldiers are suffering from the water. I beg you, Grand Commandant, to move the camp to higher ground.” Sima Yi said in a great rage, “My order has already been given. How dare you deliberately defy it?” He at once had him taken out and beheaded and his head hung up outside the camp gate. At this the whole army was struck with fear.

如有再言移營者斬！”裴景喏喏而退。少頃，右都督仇連又來告曰：“軍士苦水，乞太尉移營高處。”懿大怒曰：“吾軍令已發，汝何敢故違！”即命推出斬之，懸首於轅門外。於是軍心震懾。

Sima Yi ordered the men and horses of the southern camp to fall back twenty li for the time being, and let the soldiers and people inside the city come out to gather firewood and graze their oxen and horses. His Army Marshal Chen Qun asked, “When you attacked Shangyong before, Grand Commandant, you divided your troops along eight roads and reached the city walls in eight days, and so you took Meng Da alive and won a great victory. Now you have come thousands of li with forty thousand armored men, yet you do not order an attack on the city. Instead you keep the men for a long time in the mud, and you even let the rebels gather wood and graze their herds.

懿令南寨人馬暫退二十里，縱城內軍民出城樵採柴薪，牧放牛馬。司馬陳羣問曰：“前太尉攻上庸之時，兵分八路，八日趕至城下，遂生擒孟達而成大功；今帶甲四萬，數千裏而來，不令攻打城池，卻使久居泥濘之中，又縱賊衆樵牧。

I truly do not understand what you have in mind, Grand Commandant.” Sima Yi laughed and said, “Do you not know the art of war, sir? Back then, Meng Da had plenty of grain but few troops, while I had little grain but many troops, so I had no choice but to fight quickly. Only by striking suddenly, when he least expected it, could I win. Now the Liaodong troops are many and ours are few, but the rebels are hungry and we are well fed. Why should we exert ourselves to attack? We should simply let them run off on their own and then strike when the chance comes. By leaving a road open and not cutting off their woodcutting and grazing, I am allowing them to run off on their own.” Chen Qun bowed in admiration.

某實不知太尉是何主意？”懿笑曰：“公不知兵法耶？昔孟達糧多兵少，我糧少兵多，故不可不速戰；出其不意，突然攻之，方可取勝。今遼兵多，我兵少，賊飢我飽，何必力攻？正當任彼自走，然後乘機擊之。我今放開一條路，不絕彼之樵牧，是容彼自走也。”陳羣拜服。

Sima Yi then sent men to Luoyang to hurry the grain along. Cao Rui, the Ruler of Wei, held court, and all his ministers memorialized, “The autumn rains have been going on lately and have not stopped for a month. Men and horses are exhausted. Sima Yi should be recalled and the campaign halted for the time being.” Cao Rui said, “Grand Commandant Sima is skilled in the use of troops. He meets danger by adapting to changes and has many good plans. The capture of Gongsun Yuan is only a matter of counting the days. Why need you worry?” So he ignored the protests of his ministers and had grain transported to Sima Yi’s army.

於是司馬懿遣人赴洛陽催糧。魏主曹睿設朝，羣臣皆奏曰：“近日秋雨連綿，一月不止，人馬疲勞，可召回司馬懿，權且罷兵。”睿曰：“司馬太尉善能用兵，臨危制變，多有良謀，捉公孫淵計日而待。卿等何必憂也？”遂不聽羣臣之諫，使人運糧解至司馬懿軍前。

Sima Yi stayed in camp for several more days, and then the rain stopped and the sky cleared. That night he went out of his tent and looked up to study the heavens. Suddenly he saw a star as big as a bushel measure, trailing a streak of light many yards long, fall from northeast of Mount Shou to the southeast of Xiangping. The officers and men in every camp were all alarmed. But when Sima Yi saw it he was delighted and said to his generals, “Five days from now, Gongsun Yuan is sure to be beheaded at the place where the star fell. Tomorrow you are to attack the city with all your strength.”

懿在寨中，又過數日，雨止天晴。是夜，懿出帳外，仰觀天文，忽見一星，其大如鬥，流光數丈，自首山東北，墜於襄平東南。各營將士，無不驚駭。懿見之大喜，乃謂衆將曰：“五日之後，星落處必斬公孫淵矣。來日可併力攻城。”

The generals received their orders. At dawn the next day they led their troops to surround the city on all sides. They built earth mounds, dug tunnels, set up catapult frames and fitted out scaling ladders, attacking day and night without rest, and arrows poured into the city like a driving rain.

衆將得令，次日侵晨，引兵四面圍合，築土山，掘地道，立炮架，裝雲梯，日夜攻打不息，箭如急雨，射入城去。

Inside the city Gongsun Yuan ran out of grain, and everyone slaughtered oxen and horses for food. The people were all resentful and had no will to defend the city; they wanted to cut off Gongsun Yuan’s head, hand over the city and surrender. When Gongsun Yuan heard of this he was greatly alarmed and anxious, and hastily sent the Chancellor of State Wang Jian and the Imperial Censor Liu Fu to the Wei camp to ask for terms of surrender. The two men were let down from the city wall on ropes and came to Sima Yi. “If you will withdraw twenty li, Grand Commandant, our lord and his ministers will come of their own accord to surrender.”

公孫淵在城中糧盡，皆宰牛馬爲食。人人怨恨，各無守心，欲斬淵首，獻城歸降。淵聞之，甚是驚憂，慌令相國王建、御史大夫柳甫，往魏寨請降。二人自城上系下，來告司馬懿曰：“請太尉退二十里，我君臣自來投降。”

Sima Yi was furious. “Why does Gongsun Yuan not come himself? This is gross insolence!” He shouted to his guards to take them out and behead them, and handed their heads to their attendants. When the attendants returned and reported this, Gongsun Yuan was terrified and sent the Palace Attendant Wei Yan to the Wei camp. Sima Yi took his seat in his tent with his generals standing on both sides. Wei Yan came forward on his knees, knelt below the dais and said, “I beg you, Grand Commandant, to calm your thunderous wrath. On an appointed day we will first send the heir, Gongsun Xiu, as a hostage, and then our lord and his ministers will bind themselves and come to surrender.”

懿大怒曰：“公孫淵何不自來？殊爲無理！”叱武士推出斬之，將首級付與從人。從人回報，公孫淵大驚，又遣侍中衛演來到魏營。司馬懿升帳，聚衆將立於兩邊。演膝行而進，跪於帳下，告曰：“願太尉息雷霆之怒。剋日先送世子公孫修爲質當，然後君臣自縛來降。”

Sima Yi said, “There are five essentials in military affairs: if you can fight, fight; if you cannot fight, defend; if you cannot defend, flee; if you cannot flee, surrender; if you cannot surrender, die. What need is there to send a son as a hostage?” He shouted at Wei Yan to go back and report to Gongsun Yuan, and Wei Yan scurried off like a rat, holding his head in his hands.

懿曰：“軍事大要有五：能戰當戰，不能戰當守，不能守當走，不能走當降，不能降當死耳！何必送子爲質當？”叱衛演回報公孫淵，演抱頭鼠竄而去。

Wei Yan went back and reported to Gongsun Yuan, who was greatly alarmed. He and his son Gongsun Xiu worked out a secret plan. They picked a thousand men and horses and, at about the second watch that night, opened the south gate and fled southeast. Seeing no one about, Gongsun Yuan was secretly pleased. But before he had gone ten li, he suddenly heard a signal gun boom on the hill, and drums and horns sounded all together. A body of troops barred the way, and in the center was Sima Yi himself, with Sima Shi on his left and Sima Zhao on his right. The two of them shouted, “Rebel, stop where you are!”

歸告公孫淵，淵大驚，乃與子公孫修密議停當，選下一千人馬，當夜二更時分，開了南門，往東南而走。淵見無人，心中暗喜。行不到十里，忽聽得山上一聲炮響，鼓角齊鳴：一枝兵攔住，中央乃司馬懿也；左有司馬師，右有司馬昭，二人大叫曰：“反賊休走！”

Gongsun Yuan, in great alarm, hastily turned his horse and looked for a way to escape. But Hu Zun’s troops had already arrived, with Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei on the left and Zhang Hu and Yue Chen on the right, and they surrounded him on all sides as tightly as an iron barrel. Gongsun Yuan and his son had no choice but to dismount and surrender. Sima Yi looked round at his generals from his horse and said, “The other night, on the bingyin day, I saw a great star fall on this spot, and tonight, on the renshen day, the omen has been fulfilled.” The generals congratulated him, saying, “Grand Commandant, your foresight is truly divine!”

淵大驚，急撥馬尋路欲走。早有胡遵兵到；左有夏侯霸、夏侯威，右有張虎、樂綝：四面圍得鐵桶相似。公孫淵父子，只得下馬納降。懿在馬上顧諸將曰：“吾前夜丙寅日，見大星落於此處，今夜壬申日應矣。”衆將稱賀曰：“太尉真神機也！”

Sima Yi gave the order to behead them, and Gongsun Yuan and his son were executed face to face. Sima Yi then led his troops to take Xiangping. Before he reached the walls, Hu Zun had already led his troops into the city. The people burned incense and bowed to welcome them, and all the Wei troops entered the city. Sima Yi sat in the government office and had Gongsun Yuan’s clan and all the officials who had shared in his plot put to death, more than seventy heads in all. He posted notices to reassure the people.

懿傳令斬之。公孫淵父子對面受戮。司馬懿遂勒兵來取襄平。未及到城下時，胡遵早引兵入城。城中人民焚香拜迎，魏兵盡皆入城。懿坐於衙上，將公孫淵宗族，並同謀官僚人等，俱殺之，計首級七十餘顆。出榜安民。

Someone told Sima Yi that Jia Fan and Lun Zhi had earnestly urged Gongsun Yuan not to rebel and had both been put to death by him. Sima Yi therefore raised mounds over their graves and honored their descendants. He took the goods and treasure in the storehouses to reward the whole army, and then marched his troops back to Luoyang. Meanwhile the Ruler of Wei was in his palace. At the third watch of the night a gust of chill, eerie wind suddenly blew out the lamps, and he saw Empress Mao, followed by several dozen palace women, come weeping before his seat to demand his life.

人告懿曰：賈範、倫直苦諫淵不可反叛，俱被淵所殺。懿遂封其墓而榮其子孫。就將庫內財物，賞勞三軍，班師回洛陽。卻說魏主在宮中，夜至三更，忽然一陣陰風，吹滅燈光，只見毛皇后引數十個宮人哭至座前索命。

Because of this Cao Rui fell ill. As his illness grew steadily worse, he ordered the Palace Attendants and Imperial Counsellors Liu Fang and Sun Zi to take charge of all the affairs of the Privy Council. He also summoned Cao Yu, King of Yan, a son of Emperor Wen, and made him Grand General to assist the heir apparent Cao Fang as regent. But Cao Yu, a respectful, frugal and gentle man, was unwilling to take on so great a charge and firmly declined it. Cao Rui summoned Liu Fang and Sun Zi and asked, “Who in the imperial clan can be entrusted with this?”

睿因此得病。病漸沉重，命侍中光祿大夫劉放、孫資，掌樞密院一切事務；又召文帝子燕王曹宇爲大將軍，佐太子曹芳攝政。宇爲人恭儉溫和，未肯當此大任，堅辭不受。睿召劉放、孫資問曰：“宗族之內，何人可任？”

The two of them had long enjoyed favors from Cao Zhen, so they recommended, “Only Cao Shuang, the son of Cao Zidan, will do.” Cao Rui agreed. The two of them further memorialized, “If you mean to employ Cao Shuang, you must send the King of Yan back to his fief.” Cao Rui accepted this. So the two asked Cao Rui to issue an edict, and they took it out and announced to the King of Yan, “Here is an edict in the Son of Heaven’s own hand ordering the King of Yan to return to his fief, departing this very day. Without an edict you are not permitted to enter the court.” The King of Yan left in tears. Cao Shuang was then made Grand General in overall charge of the government.

二人久得曹真之惠，乃保奏曰：“惟曹子丹之子曹爽可也。”睿從之。二人又奏曰：“欲用曹爽，當遣燕王歸國。”睿然其言。二人遂請睿降詔，齎出諭燕王曰：“有天子手詔，命燕王歸國，限即日就行；若無詔不許入朝。”燕王涕泣而去。遂封曹爽爲大將軍，總攝朝政。

As Cao Rui’s illness became critical, he hastily sent an envoy bearing the staff of authority with an edict recalling Sima Yi to court. Sima Yi received the command, went straight to Xuchang and was brought in to see the Ruler of Wei. Cao Rui said, “My only fear was that I would not see you again. Now that I have seen you today, I can die without regret.” Sima Yi knocked his head on the ground and said, “On the way I heard that Your Majesty was unwell, and I bitterly regretted that I could not sprout two wings under my arms and fly to the palace gate. That I may look upon the dragon countenance today is my good fortune.” Cao Rui summoned the heir apparent Cao Fang, the Grand General Cao Shuang, the Palace Attendants Liu Fang and Sun Zi and others, and they all came before the imperial couch.

睿病漸危，急令使持節詔司馬懿還朝。懿受命，徑到許昌，入見魏主。睿曰：“朕惟恐不得見卿；今日得見，死無恨矣。”懿頓首奏曰：“臣在途中，聞陛下聖體不安，恨不肋生兩翼，飛至闕下。今日得睹龍顏，臣之幸也。”睿宣太子曹芳，大將軍曹爽，侍中劉放、孫資等，皆至御榻之前。

Cao Rui took Sima Yi by the hand and said, “Long ago, when Liu Xuande lay dying at Baidicheng, he entrusted his young son Liu Shan to Zhuge Kongming, and Kongming served him with utter loyalty until his death. If such things could happen in a small outlying state, how much more should they in a great one! My young son Cao Fang is only eight years old and cannot manage the affairs of the state. I rely on you, Grand Commandant, on my elder kinsman, and on the old ministers of great merit to do your utmost to support him, and not to disappoint me!”

睿執司馬懿之手曰：“昔劉玄德在白帝城病危，以幼子劉禪託孤於諸葛孔明，孔明因此竭盡忠誠，至死方休：偏邦尚然如此，何況大國乎？朕幼子曹芳，年才八歲，不堪掌理社稷。幸太尉及宗兄元勳舊臣，竭力相輔，無負朕心！”

Then he called Cao Fang and said, “Zhongda and I are as one body. You must treat him with respect and courtesy.” He had Sima Yi bring Cao Fang close, and the boy threw his arms around Sima Yi’s neck and would not let go. Cao Rui said, “Grand Commandant, do not forget the affection my young son shows you today!” When he had finished speaking, tears streamed down his face. Sima Yi knocked his head on the ground and wept. The Ruler of Wei sank into a stupor and could no longer speak. He could only point at the heir apparent with his hand, and in a moment he was dead. He had reigned thirteen years and was thirty-six years old. It was the last ten days of the first month, in the spring of the third year of Jingchu of Wei.

又喚芳曰：“仲達與朕一體，爾宜敬禮之。”遂命懿攜芳近前。芳抱懿頸不放。睿曰：“太尉勿忘幼子今日相戀之情！”言訖，潸然淚下。懿頓首流涕。魏主昏沉，口不能言，只以手指太子，須臾而卒；在位十三年，壽三十六歲，時魏景初三年春正月下旬也。

Sima Yi and Cao Shuang then placed the heir apparent Cao Fang on the imperial throne. Cao Fang, styled Lanqing, was a son whom Cao Rui had adopted and raised in secret within the palace, so no one knew where he had come from. Cao Fang gave Cao Rui the posthumous title of Emperor Ming and buried him at the Gaoping Tomb. He honored Empress Guo as Empress Dowager and changed the reign title to the first year of Zhengshi. Sima Yi and Cao Shuang assisted in the government. Cao Shuang served Sima Yi very respectfully and always informed him first of every important matter.

當下司馬懿、曹爽，扶太子曹芳即皇帝位。芳字蘭卿，乃睿乞養之子，祕在宮中，人莫知其所由來。於是曹芳諡睿爲明帝，葬於高平陵；尊郭皇后爲皇太后；改元正始元年。司馬懿與曹爽輔政。爽事懿甚謹，一應大事，必先啓知。

Cao Shuang, styled Zhaobo, had been in and out of the palace since childhood, and Emperor Ming, seeing how careful he was, had been very fond of him and held him in high regard. Cao Shuang kept five hundred retainers, and among them were five men who vied with one another in showy pretension: first He Yan, styled Pingshu; second Deng Yang, styled Xuanmao, a descendant of Deng Yu; third Li Sheng, styled Gongzhao; fourth Ding Mi, styled Yanjing; and fifth Bi Gui, styled Zhaoxian. There was also the Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan, styled Yuanze, who was quite shrewd and was commonly called the “Bag of Wisdom.” These were all men whom Cao Shuang trusted.

爽字昭伯，自幼出入宮中，明帝見爽謹慎，甚是愛敬。爽門下有客五百人，內有五人以浮華相尚：一是何晏，字平叔；一是鄧颺，字玄茂，乃鄧禹之後；一是李勝，字公昭；一是丁謐，字彥靖；一是畢軌，字昭先。又有大司農桓範字元則，頗有智謀，人多稱爲智囊。此數人皆爽所信任。

He Yan said to Cao Shuang, “You must not entrust your great power to anyone else, my lord. I fear it will lead to trouble later.” Cao Shuang said, “Lord Sima and I together received the late emperor’s command to care for his orphaned son. How could I bear to turn against him?” He Yan said, “In the past, when your late father and Zhongda were fighting the Shu army, your father was repeatedly vexed by that man, and that is what caused his death. How can you not see it, my lord?” Cao Shuang suddenly awoke to this. After reaching agreement with a number of officials, he went in and memorialized to Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, “Sima Yi’s merits are great and his virtue weighty. He should be promoted to Grand Tutor.”

何晏告爽曰：“主公大權，不可委託他人，恐生後患。”爽曰：“司馬公與我同受先帝託孤之命，安忍背之？”晏曰：“昔日先公與仲達破蜀兵之時，累受此人之氣，因而致死。主公如何不察也？”爽猛然省悟，遂與多官計議停當，入奏魏主曹芳曰：“司馬懿功高德重，可加爲太傅。”

Cao Fang agreed, and from then on all military power passed to Cao Shuang. Cao Shuang made his younger brother Cao Xi Commander of the Central Guard, Cao Xun General of the Martial Guard and Cao Yan Regular Mounted Attendant, each leading three thousand Imperial Guards and free to come and go in the forbidden palace as he pleased. He also made He Yan, Deng Yang and Ding Mi Imperial Secretaries, Bi Gui Colonel-Director of Retainers and Li Sheng Governor of Henan. These five men discussed affairs with Cao Shuang day and night.

芳從之，自是兵權皆歸於爽。爽命弟曹羲爲中領軍，曹訓爲武衛將軍，曹彥爲散騎常侍，各引三千御林軍，任其出入禁宮。又用何晏、鄧颺、丁謐爲尚書，畢軌爲司隸校尉，李勝爲河南尹：此五人日夜與爽議事。

After this the guests at Cao Shuang’s gate grew more numerous by the day. Sima Yi pleaded illness and stayed at home, and his two sons also resigned their posts and lived in retirement. Every day Cao Shuang drank and made merry with He Yan and the others. The clothes and vessels he used were no different from those of the court. Of the rare curiosities and treasures sent as tribute from every quarter, he took the best for himself before sending the rest into the palace, and beautiful women filled his mansion. The eunuch Zhang Dang, who fawned on Cao Shuang, secretly picked out seven or eight of the late emperor’s concubines and sent them to his mansion. Cao Shuang also chose thirty or forty girls of good families who were skilled at singing and dancing to form his household troupe.

於是曹爽門下賓客日盛。司馬懿推病不出，二子亦皆退職閒居。爽每日與何晏等飲酒作樂：凡用衣服器皿，與朝廷無異；各處進貢玩好珍奇之物，先取上等者入己，然後進宮，佳人美女，充滿府院。黃門張當，諂事曹爽，私選先帝侍妾七八人，送入府中；爽又選善歌舞良家子女三四十人，爲家樂。

He also built tiered towers and painted pavilions and had vessels of gold and silver made, employing several hundred skilled craftsmen who worked day and night. Now He Yan heard that Guan Lu of Pingyuan was an expert in the arts of divination, and invited him to discuss the Book of Changes. Deng Yang, who was present, asked Guan Lu, “You call yourself a master of the Changes, yet what you say never touches on the meaning of the text of the Changes. Why is that?” Guan Lu said, “Those who truly master the Changes do not talk about the Changes.” He Yan laughed and praised him: “That may be called saying what matters without fuss.”

又建重樓畫閣，造金銀器皿，用巧匠數百人，晝夜工作。卻說何晏聞平原管輅明數術，請與論《易》。時鄧颺在座，問輅曰：“君自謂善《易》而語不及《易》中詞義，何也？”輅曰：“夫善《易》者，不言《易》也。”晏笑而贊之曰：“可謂要言不煩。”

Then he said to Guan Lu, “Try casting a hexagram for me: shall I reach the rank of one of the Three Dukes?” He also asked, “I have dreamed several times of dozens of bluebottle flies coming to settle on my nose. What does this portend?” Guan Lu said, “The Eight Harmonious and the Eight Kindly assisted Shun, and the Duke of Zhou aided Zhou; all of them were gentle, generous, modest and respectful, and so they enjoyed great blessings. Now Your Lordship’s rank is exalted and your power is heavy, yet few cherish your virtue and many fear your might. This is hardly the way of seeking blessings by caution. Moreover, the nose is a mountain. A mountain that is high but not in peril can long preserve its eminence.

因謂輅曰：“試爲我卜一卦：可至三公否？”又問：“連夢青蠅數十，來集鼻上，此是何兆？”輅曰：“元、愷輔舜，周公佐周，皆以和惠謙恭，享有多福。今君侯位尊勢重，而懷德者鮮，畏威者衆，殆非小心求福之道。且鼻者，山也；山高而不危，所以長守貴也。

Now the bluebottles, foul and stinking, are gathering on it. Those in lofty positions fall; can you help but fear? I hope that Your Lordship will take from what is plentiful to add to what is scant, and tread no path contrary to propriety. Then you may reach the Three Dukes, and the bluebottles may be driven away.” Deng Yang said angrily, “This is nothing but an old scholar’s platitudes!” Guan Lu said, “The ‘old scholar’ sees men who will not live; the one who ‘speaks platitudes’ sees men who will not speak again.” And with a flick of his sleeves he left. The two laughed heartily and said, “A real madman!” When Guan Lu got home he told his uncle about it.

今青蠅臭惡而集焉。位峻者顛，可不懼乎？願君侯裒多益寡，非禮勿履：然後三公可至，青蠅可驅也。”鄧颺怒曰：“此老生之常談耳！”輅曰：“老生者見不生，常談者見不談。”遂拂袖而去。二人大笑曰：“真狂士也！”輅到家，與舅言之。

His uncle was greatly alarmed. “He and Deng wield enormous power. How could you offend them?” Guan Lu said, “I was talking with dead men. What is there to fear?” When his uncle asked why, Guan Lu said, “When Deng Yang walks, his sinews do not bind his bones and his veins do not control his flesh; when he stands up he sways and leans as though he had no hands or feet. This is the sign of a restless ghost. As for He Yan, when you watch his gaze, his soul does not keep to its dwelling, his blood gives no bloom to his complexion, his vital spirit floats like smoke and his face is like withered wood. This is the sign of a gloomy ghost.

舅大驚曰：“何、鄧二人，威權甚重，汝奈何犯之？”輅曰：“吾與死人語，何所畏耶！”舅問其故。輅曰：“鄧颺行步，筋不束骨，脈不制肉，起立傾倚，若無手足：此爲鬼躁之相。何晏視候，魂不守宅，血不華色，精爽煙浮，容若槁木：此爲鬼幽之相。

Sooner or later those two are sure to meet a violent death. Why should I fear them?” His uncle cursed him roundly as a madman and left.

二人早晚必有殺身之禍，何足畏也！”其舅大罵輅爲狂子而去。

Now Cao Shuang once went hunting with He Yan, Deng Yang and the others. His younger brother Cao Xi remonstrated, “Brother, your power is too great, yet you love to go out hunting. If someone should lay a plot against you, it will be too late for regrets.” Cao Shuang shouted at him, “The army is in my hands. What is there to fear?” The Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan also remonstrated, but Cao Shuang would not listen. At this time Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, changed the tenth year of Zhengshi to the first year of Jiaping. Cao Shuang had long wielded power as he pleased, but he did not know Zhongda’s true condition. It happened that the Ruler of Wei had just appointed Li Sheng Imperial Inspector of Jing Province, so Cao Shuang sent Li Sheng to take leave of Zhongda and find out how things stood.

卻說曹爽嘗與何晏、鄧颺等畋獵。其弟曹羲諫曰：“兄威權太甚，而好出外遊獵，倘爲人所算，悔之無及。”爽叱曰：“兵權在吾手中，何懼之有！”司農桓範亦諫，不聽。時魏主曹芳，改正始十年爲嘉平元年。曹爽一向專權，不知仲達虛實，適魏主除李勝爲荊州刺史，即令李勝往辭仲達，就探消息。

Li Sheng went straight to the Grand Tutor’s mansion, and the gatekeeper at once went in to announce him. Sima Yi said to his two sons, “Cao Shuang has sent him to find out whether my illness is real or feigned.” Then he took off his cap, let down his hair, got onto his bed and sat wrapped in his quilt, with two maids holding him up, and only then did he have Li Sheng shown in. Li Sheng came before the bed, bowed and said, “I have not seen you for a long time, Grand Tutor. Who would have thought you were so gravely ill? The Son of Heaven has now appointed me Imperial Inspector of Jing Province, and I have come especially to take my leave.”

勝徑到太傅府中，早有門吏報入。司馬懿謂二子曰：“此乃曹爽使來探吾病之虛實也。”乃去冠散發，上牀擁被而坐，又令二婢扶策，方請李勝入府。勝至牀前拜曰：“一向不見太傅，誰想如此病重。今天子命某爲荊州刺史，特來拜辭。”

Sima Yi pretended to answer, “Bing Province is near Shuofang. You must be well prepared.” Li Sheng said, “I have been appointed Imperial Inspector of Jing Province, not Bing Province.” Sima Yi laughed. “So you have just come from Bing Province?” Li Sheng said, “Jing Province, on the Han River.” Sima Yi laughed heartily. “Ah, you have come from Jing Province!” Li Sheng said, “How did you come to be so ill, Grand Tutor?” The attendants said, “The Grand Tutor has gone deaf.” Li Sheng said, “May I borrow paper and a brush?” The attendants brought paper and a brush and gave them to Li Sheng.

懿佯答曰：“并州近朔方，好爲之備。”勝曰：“除荊州刺史，非并州也。”懿笑曰：“你方從并州來？”勝曰：“漢上荊州耳。”懿大笑曰：“你從荊州來也！”勝曰：“太傅如何病得這等了？”左右曰：“太傅耳聾。”勝曰：“乞紙筆一用。”左右取紙筆與勝。

When Li Sheng had finished writing, he presented it. Sima Yi looked at it and laughed. “My illness has made me deaf. Take care of yourself on your way.” Having said this, he pointed to his mouth. A maid brought him some broth, and Sima Yi put his mouth to it, but the broth ran down all over the front of his robe. Then, in a choking voice, he said, “I am old and feeble now and gravely ill; death may come any morning or evening. My two sons are unworthy; I hope you will guide them. If you see the Grand General, I beg you to look after my two sons!” With that he fell back on the bed, his voice hoarse and his breath coming in gasps.

勝寫畢，呈上，懿看之，笑曰：“吾病的耳聾了。此去保重。”言訖，以手指口。侍婢進湯，懿將口就之，湯流滿襟，乃作哽噎之聲曰：“吾今衰老病篤，死在旦夕矣。二子不肖，望君教之。君若見大將軍，千萬看覷二子！”言訖，倒在牀上，聲嘶氣喘。

Li Sheng took his leave of Zhongda, went back to Cao Shuang and told him everything in detail. Cao Shuang was delighted. “If that old man dies, I shall have nothing more to worry about!” As soon as Sima Yi saw that Li Sheng had gone, he got up and said to his two sons, “When Li Sheng goes back and reports, Cao Shuang will certainly stop being wary of me. We need only wait until he leaves the city to go hunting; then we can make our move.” Before long, Cao Shuang invited Cao Fang, the Ruler of Wei, to visit the Gaoping Tomb and offer sacrifices to the late emperor.

李勝拜辭仲達，回見曹爽，細言其事。爽大喜曰：“此老若死，吾無憂矣！”司馬懿見李勝去了，遂起身謂二子曰：“李勝此去，回報消息，曹爽必不忌我矣。只待他出城畋獵之時，方可圖之。”不一日，曹爽請魏主曹芳去謁高平陵，祭祀先帝。

Officials great and small all followed the imperial carriage out of the city. Cao Shuang, with his three brothers, his trusted followers He Yan and the others, and the Imperial Guards, was escorting the carriage along when the Minister of Agriculture Huan Fan seized his horse’s bridle and remonstrated, “My lord, you are in overall command of the palace troops. You and your brothers should not all go out together. What if there should be a rising in the city?” Cao Shuang pointed at him with his whip and shouted, “Who would dare rise up? Speak no more such nonsense!” That day, when Sima Yi saw that Cao Shuang had left the city, he was overjoyed. He at once called up the men who had once defeated enemies under his command, together with several dozen of his household officers, took his two sons, mounted and set off straight to plot the killing of Cao Shuang.

大小官僚，皆隨駕出城。爽引三弟，並心腹人何晏等，及御林軍護駕正行，司農桓範叩馬諫曰：“主公總典禁兵，不宜兄弟皆出。倘城中有變，如之奈何？”爽以鞭指而叱之曰：“誰敢爲變！再勿亂言！”當日，司馬懿見爽出城，心中大喜，即起舊日手下破敵之人，並家將數十，引二子上馬，徑來謀殺曹爽。

Indeed:
He who kept his door shut suddenly regained his vigor;
Driving his troops, from now on he displays his heroic might.
What became of Cao Shuang will be told in the next chapter.

正是：閉戶忽然有起色，驅兵自此逞雄風。
未知曹爽性命如何，且看下文分解。