| Chinese Text Project | |
| Simplified Chinese version |
《曹操煮酒论英雄，关公赚城斩车胄 - In A Plum Garden, Cao Cao Discusses Heroes; Using The Host's Forces, Guan Yu Takes Xuzhou》 |
| 1 | 曹操煮酒... : | 却说董承等问马腾曰：“公却用何人？”马腾曰：“见有豫州牧刘玄德在此，何不求之？”承曰：“此人虽系皇叔，今正依附曹操，安肯行此事耶？”腾曰：“吾观前日围场之中，曹操迎受众贺之时，云长在玄德背后，挺刀欲杀操，玄德以目视之而止。玄德非不欲图操，恨操爪牙多，恐力不及耳。公试求之，当必应允。”吴硕曰：“此事不宜太速，当从容商议。”众皆散去。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
"Who is it?" was the question on the lips of the conspirators. Ma Teng's reply was, "The Imperial Protector of Yuzhou, Liu Bei. He is here and we will ask him to help." "Though he is an uncle of the Emperor, he is at present a partisan of our enemy, and he will not join," said Dong Cheng. "But I saw something at the hunt," said Ma Teng. "When Cao Cao advanced to acknowledge the congratulations due to the Emperor, Liu Bei's sworn brother Guan Yu was behind him, and grasped his sword as if to cut down Cao Cao. However, Liu Bei signed to him to hold his hand and Guan Yu did. Liu Bei would willingly destroy Cao Cao, only he thinks Cao Cao's teeth and claws are too many. You must ask Liu Bei, and he will surely consent." Here Wu Shi urged caution, saying, "Do not go too fast. Let us consider the thing most carefully." They dispersed. | |
| 2 | 曹操煮酒... : | 次日黑夜里，董承怀诏，迳往玄德馆中来。门吏入报，玄德迎出，请入小阁坐定。关、张侍立于侧。玄德曰：“国舅夜至此，必有事故。”承曰：“白日乘马相访，恐操见疑，故黑夜相见。”玄德命取酒相待。承曰：“前日围场之中，云长欲杀曹操，将军动目摇头而退之，何也？”玄德失惊曰：“公何以知之？”承曰：“人皆不见，某独见之。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Next day after dark Dong Cheng went to Liu Bei's lodging taking with him the decree. As soon as Dong Cheng was announced, Liu Bei came to greet him and led him into a private room where they could talk freely. The two younger brothers were there as well. "It must be something unusually important that has brought Uncle Dong Cheng here tonight," said Liu Bei. "If I had ridden forth by daylight, Cao Cao might have suspected something, so I came by night." Wine was brought in, and while they were drinking, Dong Cheng said, "Why did you check your brother the other day at the hunt, when he was going to attack Cao Cao?" Liu Bei was startled and said, "How did you know?" "Nobody noticed but I saw." | |
| 3 | 曹操煮酒... : | 玄德不能隐讳，遂曰：“舍弟见操僭越，故不觉发怒耳。”承掩面而哭曰：“朝廷臣子，若尽如云长，何忧不太平哉！”玄德恐是曹操使他来试探，乃佯言曰：“曹丞相治国，为何忧不太平？”承变色而起曰：“公乃汉朝皇叔，故剖肝沥胆以相告，公何诈也？”玄德曰：“恐国舅有诈，故相试耳。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Liu Bei could not prevaricate and said, "It was the presumption of the man that made my brother so angry. Guan Yu could not help it." The visitor covered his face and wept. "Ah," said he, "if all the court ministers were like Guan Yu, there would be no sighs for lack of tranquillity." Now Liu Bei felt that possibly Cao Cao had sent his visitor to try him, so he cautiously replied, "Where are the sighs for lack of tranquillity while Cao Cao is at the head of affairs?" Dong Cheng changed color and rose from his seat. "You, Sir, are a relative of His Majesty, and so I showed you my inmost feelings. Why did you mislead me?" But Liu Bei said, "Because I feared you might be misleading me, and I wanted to find out." | |
| 4 | 曹操煮酒... : | 于是董承取衣带诏令观之。玄德不胜悲愤。又将义状出示，上止有六位：一，车骑将军董承；二，工部侍郎王子服；三，长水校尉种辑；四，议郎吴硕；五，昭信将军吴子兰；六，西凉太守马腾。玄德曰：“公既奉诏讨贼，备敢不犬马之劳。”承拜谢，便请书名。玄德亦书“左将军刘备”，押了字，付承收讫。承曰：“尚容再请三人，共聚十义，以图国贼。”玄德曰：“切宜缓缓而行，不可轻泄。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
At this Dong Cheng drew out the decree he had received and showed it. His host was deeply moved. Then Dong Cheng produced the pledge. There were only six names to it, and these were Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Chong Ji, Wu Shi, Wu Zilan, and Ma Teng. "Since you have a decree like this, I cannot but do my share," said Liu Bei, and at Dong Cheng's request he added his name and signature to the others and handed it back. "Now let us but get three more, which will make ten, and we shall be ready to act." "But you must move with great caution and not let this get abroad," said Liu Bei. | |
| 5 | 曹操煮酒... : | 共议到五更，相别去了。玄德也防曹操谋害，就下处后园种菜，亲自浇灌，以韬晦之计。关、张曰：“兄不留心天下大事，而学小人之事，何也？”玄德曰：“此非二弟所知之。”二人乃不复言。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
The two remained talking till an early hour in the morning when the visitor left. Now in order to put Cao Cao quite off the scent that any plot against him was in progress, Liu Bei began to devote himself to gardening, planting vegetables, and watering them with his own hands. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei ventured to remonstrate with him for taking to such an occupation when great matters needed attention. "The reason for this you may not know," replied he. And they said no more. | |
| 6 | 曹操煮酒... : | 一日，关、张不在，玄德正在后园浇菜，许褚、张辽引数十人入园中曰：“丞相有命，请使君便行。”玄德惊问曰：“有甚紧事？”许褚曰：“不知。只教我来相请。”玄德只得随二人入府见操。操笑曰：“在家做得好大事！”諕得玄德面如土色。操执玄德手，直至后园曰：“玄德学圃不易。”玄德方才放心，答曰：“无事消遣耳。”操曰：“适见枝头梅子青青，忽感去年征张绣时，道上缺水，将士皆渴。吾心生一计，以鞭虚指曰：‘前面有梅林。’军士闻之，口皆生唾，由是不渴。今见此梅，不可不赏。又值煮酒正熟，故邀使君小亭一会。”玄德心神方定，随至小亭，已设樽俎：盘置青梅，一樽煮酒。二人对坐，开怀畅饮。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
One day when the two brothers were absent, and Liu Bei was busy in his garden, two generals of Cao Cao, Xu Chu and Zhang Liao, with an escort came from Cao Cao, saying, "The command of the Prime Minister is that you come at once." "What important affair is afoot?" asked Liu Bei nervously. "We know nothing. We were ordered to come and request your presence." All he could do was to follow. When Liu Bei arrived, Cao Cao met him and laughingly said, "That is a big business you have in hand at home." This remark made Liu Bei turn the color of clay. Cao Cao took him by the hand and led him straight to the private garden, saying, "The growth of vegetables that you are trying to learn is very difficult." Liu Bei breathed again. He said, "That is hardly a business. It is only a solace." Cao Cao said, "I happened to notice the green plums on the trees today, and suddenly my thoughts went back to a year ago when we were thrashing Zhang Xiu. We were marching through a parched county, and everyone was suffering from thirst. Suddenly I lifted my whip, and pointing at something in the distance I said, 'Look at those fruitful plum trees in the forest ahead.' The soldiers heard it, and it made their mouths water. Seeing the plums kindles my appreciation. I owe something to the plums, and we will repay it today. I ordered the servants to heat some wine very hot and sent to invite you to share it." Liu Bei was quite composed by this time and no longer suspected any sinister design. He went with his host to a small spring pavilion in a plum garden, where the wine cups were already laid out and green plums filled the dishes. They sat down to a confidential talk and free enjoyment of their wine. | |
| 7 | 曹操煮酒... : | 酒至半酣，忽阴云漠漠，骤雨将至。从人遥指天外龙挂，操与玄德栏观之。操日：“使君知龙之变化否？”玄德曰：“未知其详。”操曰：“龙能大能小，能升能隐；大则兴云吐雾，小则隐介藏形；升则飞腾于宇宙之间，隐则潜伏于波涛之内。方今春深，龙乘时变化，犹人得志而纵横四海。龙之为物，可比世之英雄。玄德久历四方，必知当世英雄。请试指言之。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
As they drank, the weather gradually changed, clouds gathering and threatening rain. The servants pointed out a mass of cloud that looked like a dragon hung in the sky. Both host and guest leaned over the balcony looking at it. "Do you understand the evolution of dragons?" asked Cao Cao of the guest. "Not in detail." "A dragon can assume any size, can rise in glory or hide from sight. Bulky, it generates clouds and evolves mist; attenuated, it can scarcely hide a mustard stalk or conceal a shadow. Mounting, it can soar to the empyrean; subsiding, it lurks in the uttermost depths of the ocean. This is the midspring season, and the dragon chooses this moment for its transformations like a person realizing his own desires and overrunning the world. The dragon among animals compares with the hero among people. You, General, have traveled all lakes and rivers. You must know who are the heroes of the present day, and I wish you would say who they are." | |
| 8 | 曹操煮酒... : | 玄德曰：“备肉眼安识英雄？”操曰：“休得过谦。”玄德曰：“备叨恩庇，得仕于朝。天下英雄，实有未知。”操曰：“既不识其面，亦闻其名。”玄德曰：“淮南袁术，兵粮足备，可谓英雄。”操笑曰：“冢中枯骨，吾早晚必擒之！”玄德曰：“河北袁绍，四世三公，门多故吏；今虎踞冀州之地，部下能事者极多，可谓英雄。”操笑曰：“袁绍色厉胆薄，好谋无断；干大事而惜身，见小利而忘命：非英雄也。”玄德曰：“有一人名称八骏，威镇九州──刘景升可为英雄。”操曰：“刘表虚名无实，非英雄也。”玄德曰：“有一人血气方刚，江东领袖──孙伯苻乃英雄也。”操曰：“孙策藉父之名，非英雄也。”玄德曰：“益州刘季玉，可为英雄乎？”操曰：“刘璋虽系宗室，乃守户之犬耳，何足为英雄！”玄德曰：“如张绣、张鲁、韩遂等辈皆何如？”操鼓掌大笑曰：“此等碌碌小人，何足挂齿！”玄德曰：“舍此之外，备实不知。”操曰：“夫英雄者，胸怀大志，腹有良谋；有包藏宇宙之机，吞吐天地之志者也。”玄德曰：“谁能当之？”操以手指玄德，后自指曰：“今天下英雄，惟使君与操耳。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
"I am just a common dullard. How can I know such things?" "Do not be so modest," said Cao Cao. "Thanks to your kindly protection I have a post at court. But as to heroes I really do not know who they are." "You may not have looked upon their faces, but you must have heard their names." "Yuan Shu of the South of River Huai, with his strong army and abundant resources: Is he one?" asked Liu Bei. His host laughed, "A rotting skeleton in a graveyard. I shall put him out of the way shortly." "Well, Yuan Shao then. The highest offices of state have been held in his family for four generations, and his clients are many in the empire. He is firmly posted in Jizhou, and he commands the services of many able people. Surely he is one." "A bully, but a coward. He is fond of grandiose schemes, but is devoid of decision. He makes for great things but grudges the necessary sacrifice. He loses sight of everything else in view of a little present advantage. He is not one." "There is Liu Biao of Jingzhou. He is renowned as a man of perfection, whose fame has spread on all sides. Surely he is a hero." "He is a mere semblance, a man of vain reputation. No, not he." "Sun Ce is a sturdy sort, the chief of all in the South Land. Is he a hero?" "He has profited by the reputation of his father Sun Jian. Sun Ce is not a real hero." "What of Liu Zhang of Yizhou?" "Though he is of the reigning family, he is nothing more than a watch dog. How could you make a hero of him?" "What about Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu, Han Sui, and all those leaders?" Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed very loudly, saying, "Paltry people like them are not worth mentioning." "With these exceptions I really know none." "Now heroes are the ones who cherish lofty designs in their bosoms and have plans to achieve them. They have all-embracing schemes, and the whole world is at their mercy." "Who is such a person?" said Liu Bei. Cao Cao pointed his finger first at his guest and then at himself, saying, "The only heroes in the world are you and I." | |
| 9 | 曹操煮酒... : | 玄德闻言，吃了一惊，手中所执匙箸，不觉落于地下。时正值天雨将至，雷声大作。玄德乃从容俯首拾箸曰：“一震之威，乃至于此。”操笑曰：“丈夫亦畏雷乎？”玄德曰：“圣人迅雷风烈必变，安得不畏？”将闻言失箸缘故，轻轻掩饰过了。操遂不疑玄德。后人有诗赞曰： |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Liu Bei gasped, and the spoon and chopsticks rattled to the floor. Now just at that moment the storm burst with a tremendous peal of thunder and rush of rain. Liu Bei stooped down to recover the fallen articles, saying, "What a shock! And it was quite close." "What! Are you afraid of thunder?" said Cao Cao. Liu Bei replied, "The Sage One paled at a sudden peal of thunder or fierce gust of wind. Why should one not fear?" Thus he glossed over the real fact, that it was the words he had heard that had so startled him. | |
| 勉从虎穴暂趋身，说破英雄惊杀人。巧借闻雷来掩饰，随机应变信如神。 | ||
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Constrained to lodge in a tiger's lair, He played a waiting part, But when Cao Cao talked of breaking humans, Then terror gripped his heart. But he cleverly used the thunder peal As excuse for turning pale; O quick to seize occasions thus! He surely must prevail. | ||
| 10 | 曹操煮酒... : | 天雨方住，见两个人撞入后园，手提宝剑，突至亭前，左右拦挡不住。操视之，乃关、张二人也。原来二人从城外射箭方回，听得玄德被许褚、张辽请将去了，慌忙来相府打听；闻说在后园，只恐有失，故冲突而入。却见玄德与操对坐饮酒。二人按剑而立。操问二人何来。云长曰：“听知丞相和兄饮酒，特来舞剑，以助一笑。”操笑曰：“此非鸿门会，安用项庄、项伯乎？”玄德亦笑。操命：“取酒与‘二樊哙’压惊。”关、张拜谢。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
The shower had passed, and there appeared two men rushing through the garden, both armed. In spite of the attendants, they forced their way to the pavilion where sat the two friends. They were Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. The two brothers had been outside the city at archery practice when Cao Cao's invitation had come so peremptorily. On their return they heard that two officers had arrived and led away Liu Bei to the Prime Minister. They hastened to his palace and were told their brother was with his host in the grounds, and they feared something had happened. So they rushed in. Now when they saw their brother quietly talking with Cao Cao and enjoying a cup of wine, they took up their usual places and meekly stood waiting. "Why did you come?" said Cao Cao. "We heard that you, Sir, had invited our brother to a wine party, and we came to amuse you with a little sword play," said they. "This is not a Hongmen Banquet," replied Cao Cao. "What use have we for Xiang Chang and Xiang Ba of old?" Liu Bei smiled. The host ordered wine to be served to the two "Fan Kuais" to allay their anxiety. | |
| 11 | 曹操煮酒... : | 须臾席散，玄德辞操而归。云长曰：“险些惊杀我两个！”玄德以落箸事说与关、张。张问是何意。玄德曰：“吾之学圃，正欲使操知我无大志；不意操竟指我为英雄，我故失惊落箸。又恐操生疑，故借惧雷以掩饰之耳。”关、张曰：“兄真高见！” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Soon after, the three took their leave and returned homeward. "We were nearly frightened to death," said Guan Yu. The story of the dropped chopsticks was told. The two asked what their brother intended by his actions. "My learning gardening was to convince Cao Cao of my perfect simplicity and the absence of any ambition. But when he suddenly pointed to me as one of the heroes, I was startled, for I thought he had some suspicions. Happily the thunder at that moment supplied the excuse I wanted." "Really you are very clever," said they. | |
| 12 | 曹操煮酒... : | 操次日又请玄德。正饮间，人报满宠去探听袁绍而回。操召入问之。宠曰：“公孙瓒已被袁绍破了。”玄德急问曰：“愿闻其详。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Next day Cao Cao again invited Liu Bei and while the two were drinking, Man Chong, who had been dispatched to find out what Yuan Shao was doing, came to present his report. Man Chong said, "Gongsun Zan has been completely defeated by Yuan Shao." "Do you know the details? I should like to know how," interrupted Liu Bei. | |
| 13 | 曹操煮酒... : | 宠曰：“瓒与绍战不利，筑城围圈，圈上建楼高十丈，名曰易京楼；积粟三十万以自守，战士出入不息。或有被绍围者，众请救之。瓒曰：‘若救一人，后之战者只望人救，不肯死战矣。’遂不肯救。因此袁绍兵来，多有降之者。瓒势孤，使人持书赴许都求救，不意中途为绍军所获。瓒又遗书张燕，暗约举火为号，里应外合。下书人又被袁绍擒住，却来城外放火诱敌。瓒自出战，伏兵四起，军马折其大半。退守城中，被袁绍穿地直入瓒所居之楼下，放起火来。瓒无路走，先杀妻子，然后自缢，全家都被火焚了。今袁绍得了瓒军，声声甚盛。绍弟袁术在淮南骄奢过度，不恤军民，众皆背反。术使人归帝号于袁绍。绍欲取玉玺。术约亲自送至。见今弃淮南欲归河北。若二人协力，急难收复。乞丞相作急图之。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
"They were at war, and Gongsun Zan got the worst of it, so he acted on the defensive, building a high wall about his army and on that erecting a high tower, which he called the Yijing Tower. Therein he placed all his grain, one hundred thousand carts total, and took up his own quarters. His fighting troops passed in and out without ceasing, some going out to give battle, others returning to rest. One of them was surrounded and sent to ask Gongsun Zan to rescue him. Gongsun Zan said, 'If I rescue him, hereafter everyone will want to be helped and will not exert himself.' So Gongsun Zan did not go. This disgusted his soldiers, and many deserted to the enemy so that his army diminished. He sent letters to the capital to crave help, but the messenger was captured. He sent to Zhang Yan to arrange with him for a two-pronged joint attack, and those letters with the plans also fell into Yuan Shao's hands. The plans were adopted by Yuan Shao, who gave the signals agreed upon. Thus Gongsun Zan fell into an ambush, lost heavily, and retreated into the city. There he was besieged, and a subterranean passage was pierced into the tower where he lodged. The tower was set on fire, and Gongsun Zan could not escape. So he slew his wife and little ones and hanged himself. The flames destroyed the bodies of the whole family. "Yuan Shao has added the remnants of the vanquished army to his own and so become yet stronger. His brother Yuan Shu in the South of River Huai, however, has become so arrogant and cruel that the people have turned against him. Then Yuan Shu had sent to say he would yield the title of Emperor, which he had assumed, in favor of Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao demanded the Imperial Hereditary Seal also, and Yuan Shu promised to bring it in person. Now Yuan Shu has abandoned River Huai and is about to move to the North of Yellow River. If he succeeded, the two brothers will control adjoining regions and be dangerous." | |
| 14 | 曹操煮酒... : | 玄德闻公孙瓒已死，追念昔日荐己之恩，不胜伤感；又不知赵子龙如何下落，放心不下；因暗想曰：“我不就此时寻个脱身之计，更待何时？”遂起身对操曰：“术若投绍，必从徐州过。备请一军就半路截击，术可擒矣。”操笑曰：“来日奏帝，即便起兵。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
It was a sad story, and Liu Bei remembered with sorrow that, in the days of success and prosperity, the dead chieftain, Gongsun Zan, had pushed his interest and shown him much kindness. Moreover he was anxious to know the fate of Zhao Zilong. In his heart he thought, "What better chance am I likely to get of setting myself free?" So Liu Bei rose and said to Cao Cao, "If Yuan Shu goes over to join his brother, he will surely pass through Xuzhou. I beg you to give me an army with which to smite him on the way. That will finish Yuan Shu." "Memorialize the Emperor tomorrow, and I will give you an army," said Cao Cao. | |
| 15 | 曹操煮酒... : | 次日，玄德面奏献帝。操令玄德总督五万人马，又差朱灵、路昭二人同行。玄德辞帝，帝泣送之。玄德到寓，星夜收拾军军器鞍马，挂了将军印，催促便行。董承赶出十里长亭来送。玄德曰：“国舅忍耐，某次行必有以报命。”承曰：“公宜留意，勿负帝心。”二人分别。关，张在马上问曰：“兄今番出征，何故如此慌速？”玄德曰：“吾乃笼中鸟，网中鱼。此一行如鱼入大海，鸟上青霁，不受笼网之羁绊也。”因命关，张催朱灵，路昭，军马速行。时郭嘉，程昱，考较钱粮方回，知曹操已遣玄德进兵徐州，慌入谏曰：“丞相何故令刘备督军？”操曰：“欲截袁术耳。”程昱曰：“昔刘备为豫州牧时，某等请杀之，丞相不听；今日又与之兵，此放龙入海，纵虎归山也。后欲治之，其可得乎？”郭嘉曰：“丞相纵不杀备，亦不当使之去。古人云：‘一日纵敌，万世之患。’望丞相察之。”操然其言，遂令许褚将兵五百前往，务要追玄德转来。许褚应诺而去。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
So next day Liu Bei went to an audience, and Cao Cao gave him command of fifty thousand horse and foot, and sent Generals Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao with him. At parting with Liu Bei, the Emperor shed tears. As soon as Liu Bei reached his lodging, he set about preparations for immediate departure, taking his seal as General and preparing his weapons. Dong Cheng went three miles away from the city to bid him farewell. "You must not mind my going. This journey will assuredly help on the scheme," said Liu Bei. "Keep your mind fixed on that," said Dong Cheng, "and never forget what His Majesty requires of us." They parted. Presently his brothers asked him why he was in such a hurry to get away. Liu Bei replied, "I have been a bird in a cage, a fish in a net. This is like the fish regaining the open sea and the bird soaring into the blue sky. I suffered much from the confinement." Then he ordered Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to march the troops faster. Now Guo Jia and Cheng Yu had been absent inspecting stores and supplies when Liu Bei left. As soon as they heard of his expedition, they went in to see their master, asking him why he had let Liu Bei go in command of an army. "He is going to cut off Yuan Shu," replied Cao Cao. "Formerly, when he was Imperial Protector of Yuzhou, we recommended that he should be put to death, but you would not hear of it. Now you have given him an army. You have allowed the dragon to reach the sea, the tiger to return to the mountains. What control will you have in future?" So spoke Cheng Yu, and Guo Jia followed in the same strain, saying, "Even if you would not put him to death, you need not have let him go. As the proverb says, 'Relax opposition for one day and age-long harm ensues.' You must admit the truth of this." Cao Cao recognized that these were prudent counsels, so he sent Xu Chu with five hundred horsemen and imperative orders to bring Liu Bei back again. | |
| 16 | 曹操煮酒... : | 却说玄德正行之间，只见后面尘头骤起，谓关，张曰：“此必曹兵追至也。”遂下了营寨，令关，张各执军器，立于两边。许褚至，见严兵整甲，乃下马入营见玄德。玄德曰：“公来此何干？”褚曰：“奉丞相命，特请将军回去，别有商议。”玄德曰：“‘将在外，君命有所不受。’吾面过君，又蒙丞相钧语，今别无他议，公可速回，为我禀覆丞相。”许褚寻思：“丞相与他一向交好，今番又不曾教我来厮杀，只得将他言语回覆，另候裁夺便了。”遂辞了玄德领兵而回；回见曹操，备述玄德之言。操犹豫未决。程昱，郭嘉曰：“备不肯回兵，可知心变。”操曰：“我有朱灵，路昭，二人在彼，料玄德未敢心变。况我既遣之，何可复悔？”遂不复追玄德。后人有诗赞玄德曰： |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Liu Bei was marching as rapidly as possible when he noticed a cloud of dust in the rear and remarked to his brothers, "Surely they are pursuing us." He halted and made a stockade, and ordered his brothers to be in readiness, one on each flank. Presently the messenger arrived and found himself in the midst of an army ready for battle. Xu Chu dismounted and entered the camp to speak with Liu Bei. "Sir, on what business have you come?" asked Liu Bei. "The Prime Minister has sent me to request you to return as he has further matters to discuss with you." "When a general has once taken the field, even the royal command is of no effect. I bade farewell to the Emperor, I received the Prime Minister's commands, and there can be nothing further to talk about. You may return forthwith and take that as my reply." Xu Chu was undecided what action to take. He thought, "The Prime Minister cherishes a friendship with Liu Bei, and I have no orders to kill. I can only return with this reply and ask further instructions." So Xu Chu left. When he related what had occurred, Cao Cao still hesitated to take any action. "This refusal to return means enmity," said Cheng Yu and Guo Jia. "Still, two of my people are with him," said Cao Cao. "He will not dare do anything unfriendly, I think. Beside, I sent him and I cannot go back on my own orders." So Liu Bei was not pursued. | |
| 束兵秣马去匆匆，心念天言衣带中。撞破铁笼逃虎豹，顿开金锁走蛟龙。 | ||
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He took his arms, he fed his steed, And fared forth willingly, Intent to accomplish his King's behest Deep graven on his memory. At least he had broken out of his cage, He heard not the tiger's roar, He had shaken the shackles from his feet, As a dragon on high could soar. | ||
| 17 | 曹操煮酒... : | 却说马腾见玄德已去，边报又急，亦回西凉州去了。玄德兵至徐州，刺史车胄出迎。公宴毕，孙乾，糜竺，等都来参见。玄德回家探视老小，一面差人探听袁术。探子回报：“袁术奢侈太过，雷薄，陈兰，皆投嵩山去了。术声势甚衰，乃作书让帝号于袁绍，绍命人召术，术乃收拾人马，宫禁御用之物，先到徐州来。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
As soon as Ma Teng heard that Liu Bei had set forth, he reported that pressing business called him and marched back to his own region, Xiliang. When Liu Bei reached Xuzhou, the Deputy Imperial Protector, Che Zhou, came to meet him. When the official banquet was over, Sun Qian and Mi Zhu paid their visit to Che Zhou. Then Liu Bei proceeded to his residence to greet his family. Scouts were sent out to see what Yuan Shu was doing. They came back with the intelligence: "Yuan Shu's arrogance had driven away his generals, Lei Bo and Chen Lan, who had returned to their mountain fastness in Mount Song. His forces thus reduced, he wrote resigning the imperial style he had assumed in favor of his brother Yuan Shao, who at once commanded his presence. Thereupon he packed up the Palace fittings he had made, got the remnants of his army in order, and marched west." | |
| 18 | 曹操煮酒... : | 玄德知袁术将至，乃引关，张，朱灵，路昭，五万军出，正迎著先锋纪灵至。张飞更不打话，直取纪灵。斗无十合，张飞大喝一声，刺纪灵于马下。败军奔走，袁术自引军来斗。玄德分兵三路，──朱灵，路昭在左，关，张在右，玄德自引兵居中，──与术相见，在门旗下责备曰：“汝反逆不道，吾今奉明诏前来讨汝。汝当束手受降，免你罪犯。”袁术骂曰：“织席编屦小辈，安敢轻我！”麾兵赶来。玄德暂退，让左右两路军杀出。杀得术军尸横遍野，血流成渠；士卒逃亡，不可胜计。又被嵩山雷薄，陈兰，劫去钱粮草料。欲回寿春，又被群盗所袭，只得住于江亭。止有一千馀众，皆老弱之辈。时当盛暑，粮食尽绝，只剩麦三十斛，分派军士，家人无食，多有饿死者。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
When Yuan Shu neared Xuzhou, Liu Bei led out his force of fifty thousand soldiers and four generals —-Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhu Ling, and Lu Zhao. Yuan Shu sent out Ji Ling to force a way through. But Zhang Fei opposed him and attacked without a parley. In the tenth bout Zhang Fei cut down Ji Ling. The defeated troops fled in all directions. Then Yuan Shu came up with his own army. Liu Bei placed Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao in command of the left wing, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei the right wing, and himself in the center, and so met Yuan Shu. As soon as the enemy came near, Liu Bei began to abuse him, crying, "O rebellious one, and wicked, I have a command to destroy you! Yield, then, with good grace and so escape your punishment!" "Base weaver of mats and mean maker of straw sandals! How dare you make light of me?" replied Yuan Shu, and he gave the signal for an attack. Liu Bei retired, and his generals from the flanks closed in. They smote the army of Yuan Shu till corpses littered the plain and blood flowed in streams. At the same time Yuan Shu's former generals, Lei Bo and Chen Lan from Mount Song, attacked the baggage train and completed the destruction. Yuan Shu tried to retreat to Shouchun, but Lei Bo and Chen Lan barred the road. Yuan Shu sought refuge in Jiangling, with one thousand troops left of all his army. And these were the weakly ones, able neither to fight nor flee. It was then the height of summer, and their food was nearly exhausted. The whole provision consisted of thirty carts of wheat. This was made over to the soldiers, and the members of his household went hungry. Many died of actual starvation. | |
| 19 | 曹操煮酒... : | 术嫌饭粗，不能下咽，乃命庖人取蜜水止渴。庖人曰：“止有血水，安得蜜水？”术坐于床上，大叫一声，倒于地下，吐血斗馀而死。时建安四年六月也。后人有诗曰： |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Yuan Shu could not swallow the coarse food that the soldiers lived on. One day he bade his cook bring him some honeyed water to quench his thirst. "There is no water, save that tainted with blood," replied the cook. "Where can I get honeyed water?" This was the last straw. Yuan Shu sat up on his couch and rolled out on the floor with a loud cry. Blood gushed from his mouth and thus he died. It was the sixth month of the fourth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 199). | |
| 汉末刀兵起四方，无端袁术太猖狂。不思累世为公相，便欲孤身做帝王。强暴枉夸传国玺，骄奢妄说应天祥。渴思蜜水无由得，独卧空床呕血亡。 | ||
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The last days of Han approached and weapons clashed in every quarter, The misguided Yuan Shu, lost to all sense of honor, Forgetful of his forefathers, who had filled the state's highest offices, Madly aspired to become himself Emperor, Resting his outrageous claim on the possession of the Seal, And arrogantly boasting that thus he fulfilled the design of Heaven. Alas! Sick unto death he vainly begged for a little honeyed water; He died, alone. | ||
| 20 | 曹操煮酒... : | 袁术已死，侄袁胤将灵柩及妻子奔庐江来，被徐璆尽杀之。夺得玉玺，赴许都献于曹操。曹操大喜，封徐璆为高陵太守，此玉玺归操。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: | Yuan Shu being dead, his nephew, Yuan Yin, taking his coffin and his wife and children, sought shelter in Lujiang. There the Magistrate, Xu Liu, slew all the survivors. Among the possessions Xu Liu found the Imperial Hereditary Seal, which he at once took to the capital and presented to Cao Cao, for which service he was made Governor of Gaoling. Since then the Imperial Hereditary Seal belonged to Cao Cao. | |
| 21 | 曹操煮酒... : | 却说玄德知袁术已丧，写表申奏朝廷，书呈曹操，令朱灵，路昭，回许都，留下军马保守徐州，一面亲自出城，招谕流散人民复业。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: | When Liu Bei heard that Yuan Shu was dead, he prepared a report to the Throne, and sent it to Cao Cao. He sent the two generals deputed by Cao Cao, Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao, back to the capital, keeping the army to defend Xuzhou. He also personally went through the countryside commanding the people to resume their ordinary avocations. | |
| 22 | 曹操煮酒... : | 且说朱灵、路昭回许都见曹操，说玄德留下军马。操怒，欲斩二人。荀彧曰：“权归刘备，二人亦无奈何。”操乃赦之。彧又曰：“可写书与车胄就内图之。” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Cao Cao was angry when his two officers returned without their man and was going to put them to death. Xun Yu reasoned with him. "The power was in Liu Bei's hands, and so these two had no alternative," said Xun Yu. So they were pardoned. "You should instruct Che Zhou, the Deputy Imperial Protector, to try to destroy him," said Xun Yu. | |
| 23 | 曹操煮酒... : | 操从其计，暗使人来见车胄，传曹操钧旨。胄随即请陈登商议此事。登曰：“此事极易：今刘备出城招民，不日将还；将军丁命军士伏于瓮城边，只作接他，待马到来，一刀斩之；某在城上射住后军，大事济矣。”胄从之。陈登回见父陈圭，备言其事。圭命登先往报知玄德。登领父命，飞马去报，正迎著关、张，报说如此如此。原来关、张先回，玄德在后。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Accordingly he sent secret orders to Che Zhou, who took Chen Deng into his confidence and asked his advice. Chen Deng said, "That is easy. Liu Bei is outside the city, and an ambush in the city gate to attack him on his return from the country will be final. I will attack the escort with arrows from the city walls." Che Zhou agreed to try this. Then Chen Deng went to his father to tell him. Chen Gui bade him go and warn the intended victim. Chen Deng at once rode away to do so. Before long he met Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, to whom he told his story. Now Liu Bei was following some distance behind. | |
| 24 | 曹操煮酒... : | 张飞听得，便要去厮杀。云长曰：“他伏瓮城边待我，去必有失。我有一计，可杀车胄：乘夜扮入曹军到徐州，引车胄出迎，袭而杀之。”飞然其言。那部下军原有曹操旗号，衣甲都同。当夜三更，到城叫门。城上问是谁，众应是曹丞相差张文远的人马。报知车胄，胄急请陈登议曰：“若不迎接，诚有疑；若出迎之，又恐有诈。”胄乃上城回言：“黑夜难以分辨，待明早相见。”城下答应：“只恐刘备知道，疾快开门！” |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
As soon as Zhang Fei heard of the plot, he wanted to attack the ambush, but Guan Yu proposed another plan. Said he, "Attacking the ambush will be a failure, since we are without the walls. And I think we can compass the death of Che Zhou. In the night we will pretend to be some of Cao Cao's soldiers and entice him out to meet us. We will slay him." Zhang Fei approved of the plan. Now the soldiers still had some of Cao Cao's army banners and wore similar armor. About the third watch they came to the city wall and hailed the gate. Those on guard asked who they were. The men replied that they were Zhang Liao's troops sent from the capital. This was told Che Zhou who sent hastily for Chen Deng to ask his advice. "If I do not receive them, they will suspect my loyalty," said Che Zhou. "Yet if I go out, I may be victim of a ruse." So he went up on the wall and said, "It is too dark to distinguish friends from foes. You must wait till daylight." "If Liu Bei know our presence, he will attack," shouted back the soldiers. And they begged him to let them in. | |
| 25 | 曹操煮酒... : | 车胄犹豫未定，城外一片声叫开门。车胄只得披挂上马，引一千军出城；跑过吊桥，大叫：“文远何在？”火光中只见云长提刀纵马直迎车胄，大叫曰：“匹夫安敢怀诈，欲杀吾兄！”车胄大惊，战未数合，遮拦不住，拨马便回。到吊桥边，城上陈登乱箭射下，车胄绕城而走。云长赶来，手起一刀，砍于马下，割下首级，提回望城上呼曰：“反贼车胄，吾已杀之；众等无罪，投降免死。”诸军倒戈投降，军民皆安。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Still Che Zhou hesitated. They shouted louder than ever to open the gate. Presently Che Zhou girded on his armor, placed himself at the head of one thousand cavalry and went out. He galloped over the bridge, shouting, "Where is Zhang Liao?" Then lights blazed around, and he recognized Guan Yu with his sword drawn. "Wretch!" cried Guan Yu. "You would plot to slay my brother, would you?" Che Zhou was too frightened to make good defense, and he turned to reenter the gate. But as he reached the drawbridge, Chen Deng shot out flights of arrows, wherefore Che Zhou turned aside and galloped along under the wall. But Guan Yu came quickly in pursuit. His sword was raised aloft, and as it came down, Che Zhou fell to the earth. Guan Yu cut off his head and returned, shouting, "I have slain the traitor. You others need not fear if you only surrender!" They threw aside their spears and gave in. The excitement calmed. | |
| 26 | 曹操煮酒... : | 云长将胄头去迎玄德，具言车胄欲害之事，今已斩首。玄德大惊曰：“曹操若来，如之奈何？”云长曰：“弟与张飞迎之。”玄德懊悔不已，遂入徐州。百姓父老，伏道而接。玄德到府，寻张飞，飞已将车胄全家杀尽。玄德曰：“杀了曹操心腹之人，如何肯休？”陈登曰：“某有一计，可退曹操。”正是：既把孤身离虎穴，还将妙计息狼烟。不知陈登说出甚计来，且看下文分解。 |
| In A Plum Garden,...: |
Guan Yu took the head to show Liu Bei and told him the story of the plot. "But what will Cao Cao think of this?" said Liu Bei. "And he may come." "If he does, we can meet him," said Guan Yu. But Liu Bei was grieved beyond measure. When he entered the city, the elders of the people knelt in the road to welcome him. When he reached his residence, he found that Zhang Fei had already exterminated the family of Che Zhou. Liu Bei said, "We have slain one of Cao Cao's best officers, and how will he stand that?" "Never mind!" cried Chen Deng. "I have a plan." Just from grave danger extricated, A looming war must be placated. The plan proposed by Chen Deng will be disclosed next. |
URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch21