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-> -> -> At Jingzhou, The Son Of Liu Biao Thrice Begs Advice; At Bowang Slope, The Directing Instructor Plans His First Battle

《荆州城公子三求计，博望坡军师初用兵 - At Jingzhou, The Son Of Liu Biao Thrice Begs Advice; At Bowang Slope, The Directing Instructor Plans His First Battle》

1 荆州城公... :
却说孙权督众攻打夏口，黄祖兵败将亡，情知守把不住，遂弃江夏，望荆州而走。甘宁料得黄祖必走荆州，乃于东门外伏兵等候。祖带数十骑突出东门，正走之间，一声喊起，甘宁拦住。祖于马上谓宁曰：“我向日不曾轻待汝，今何相逼耶？”宁叱曰：“吾昔在江夏，多立功绩，汝乃以劫江贼待我，今日尚有何说？”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Now Sun Quan fought against Xiakou. When Huang Zu recognized that he was beaten and could not maintain his position, he abandoned Jiangxia and took the road to Jingzhou. Gan Ning, foreseeing this, had laid an ambush outside the east gate of Jiangxia. Soon after the fugitive, with a small following, had burst out of the gate, he found his road blocked.
From horseback, Huang Zu said, "I treated you well in the past. Why do you now press me so hard?"
Gan Ning angrily shouted, "I did good service for you, and yet you treated me as a pirate. Now what have you to say?"

2 荆州城公... :
黄祖自知难免，拨马而走。甘宁冲开士卒，直赶将来，只听得后面喊声起处，又有数骑赶来。宁视之，乃程普也。宁恐普来争功，慌忙拈弓搭箭，背射黄祖，祖中箭翻身落马，宁枭其首级，回马与程普合兵一处，回见孙权，献黄祖首级。权命以木匣盛贮，待回江东祭献于亡父灵前。重赏三军，升甘宁为都尉。商议欲分兵守江夏。张昭曰：“孤城不可守，不如且回江东。刘表知我破黄祖，必来报雠。我以逸待劳，必败刘表。表败而后乘势攻之，荆襄可得也。”权从其言，遂弃江夏，班师回江东。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
There was nothing to be said, and Huang Zu turned his horse to escape. But Gan Ning thrust aside his troops and himself rode in pursuit. Then he heard a shouting in his rear and saw General Cheng Pu coming up. Fearing lest this other pursuer should overpass him and score the success he desired for himself, Gan Ning fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the fugitive. Huang Zu was hit and fell from his steed. Then Gan Ning cut off his head. After this, joining himself to Cheng Pu, the two returned bearing the ghastly trophy to their lord. Sun Quan ordered them to place it in a box to be taken back home and offered as a sacrifice to the manes of his father. Having rewarded the soldiers for the victory and promoted Gan Ning, Sun Quan next discussed the advisability of sending a force to hold Jiangxia.
But his adviser, Zhang Zhao, said, "It is impossible to try to hold one distant city alone. It is better to return home and prepare for the expedition that Liu Biao will surely send in revenge. We will meet and defeat his worn army, push home the attack, and capture his whole region."
Sun Quan saw the advice was wise, so he left Jiangxia and led his army home to the South Land.

3 荆州城公... :
苏飞在槛车内，密使人告甘宁求救。宁曰：“飞即不言，吾岂忘之？”大军既至吴会，权命将苏飞枭首，与黄祖首级一同祭献。甘宁乃入见权，顿首哭告曰：“某向日若不得苏飞，则骨填沟壑矣，安能效命将军麾下哉？今飞罪当诛，某念其昔日之恩情，愿纳还官爵，以赎飞罪。”权曰：“彼既有恩于君，吾为君赦之；但彼若逃去，奈何？”宁曰：“飞得免诛戮，感恩无地，岂肯走乎？若飞去，宁愿将首级献于阶下。”权乃赦苏飞，止将黄祖首级祭献。祭毕设宴，大会文武庆功。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Now Su Fei was still confined, but he got someone to go to Gan Ning to beg him to plead for mercy. Gan Ning had expected this although the prisoner had said no word, and he was averse from leaving his friend and one-time protector to perish.
"I should not have forgotten him even if he had said nothing," said Gan Ning.
When the army had returned, Sun Quan gave orders for Su Fei's execution that his head might be offered with that of Huang Zu.
Then Gan Ning went in to his lord and said, weeping, "Long ago, if it had not been for Su Fei, my bones would have been rotting in some ditch and how then could I have rendered service under your banner? Now he deserves death, but I cannot forget his kindness to me, and I pray you take away the honors you have bestowed on me as a set-off to his crime."
Sun Quan replied, "Since he once showed kindness to you, I will pardon him for your sake. But what can be done if he run away?"
"If he be pardoned and escape death, he will be immeasurably grateful and will not go away. If he should, then will I offer my life in exchange."
So the condemned man escaped death, and only one head was offered in sacrifice. After the sacrificial ceremonies, a great banquet was spread in honor of the victories.

4 荆州城公... :
正饮酒间，忽见座上一人大哭而起，拔剑在手，直取甘宁。宁忙举坐椅以迎之。权惊视其人，乃凌统也，因甘宁在江夏时，射死他父亲凌操，今日相见，故欲报雠。权连忙劝住，谓统曰：“兴霸射死卿父，彼时各为其主，不容不尽力。今既为一家人，岂可复理旧雠？万事皆看吾面。”凌统叩头大哭曰：“不共戴天之雠，岂容不报？”权与众官再三劝之，凌统只是怒目而视甘宁。权即日命甘宁领兵五千，战船一百只，往夏口镇守，以避凌统。宁拜谢，领兵自往夏口去了。权又加封凌统为承烈都尉，统只得含恨而止。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
As it was proceeding, suddenly one of the guests burst into loud lamentations, drew his sword, and rushed upon Gan Ning. Gan Ning hastily rose and defended himself with the chair on which he had been sitting. The host looked at the assailant and saw it was Ling Tong, whose father Ling Cao had fallen under an arrow shot by Gan Ning. The son was now burning to avenge his father's death.
Hastily leaving his place, Sun Quan checked the angry officer, saying, "If he slew your noble father, then remember each was fighting for his lord for whom he was bound to exert himself to the utmost. But now that you both are under one flag and are of one house, you may not recall an ancient injury. You must regard my interests continually."
Ling Tong beat his head upon the floor and cried, saying, "But how can I not avenge this? It is a blood feud, and we may not both live under the same sky."
The guests interfered, beseeching the man to forgo his revenge, and at last he ceased from his murderous intention. But he sat glaring wrathfully at his enemy.
So soon after Gan Ning was dispatched with five thousand troops and one hundred warships to guard Xiakou, where he was beyond the reach of Ling Tong's wrath. Then Sun Quan promoted Ling Tong, and so he was somewhat appeased.

5 荆州城公... :
东吴自此广造战船，分兵守把江岸；又命孙静引一枝军守吴会；孙权自领大军，屯柴桑；周瑜日于鄱阳湖教练水军，以备攻战。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
From about this time the South Land enlarged her fleets, and soldiers were sent to various points to guard the river banks. The brother of the chieftain, Sun Kuang, was placed in command at Wujun, and Sun Quan himself, with a large army, camped at Chaisang. Zhou Yu, Commander-in-Chief of the army and Supreme Admiral of the navy, was on the Poyang Lake training the naval forces, and general preparations were made for defense and attack.

6 荆州城公... :
话分两头。却说玄德差人打探江东消息，回报：“东吴已攻杀黄祖，现今屯兵柴桑。”玄德便请孔明计议。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
By his spies, Liu Bei had tidings of the doings in the lower portion of the Great River, and knew of the death of Huang Zu. So he consulted Zhuge Liang as to his action.

7 荆州城公... :
正话间，忽刘表差人来请玄德赴荆州议事。孔明曰：“此必因江东破了黄祖，故请主公商议报雠之策也。”某当与主公同往，相机而行，自有良策。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
While they were discussing matters, there arrived a messenger from Liu Biao, begging Liu Bei to go to see him.
Zhuge Liang advised him to go and said, "This call is to consult you about avenging Huang Zu. You must take me with you and let me act as the circumstances direct. There are advantages to be got."

8 荆州城公... :
玄德从之，留云长守新野，令张飞引五百人马跟随往荆州来。玄德在马上谓孔明曰：“今见景升，当若何对答？”孔明曰：“当先谢襄阳之事。他若令主公去征讨江东，切不可应允。但说容归新野，整顿军马。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Leaving Guan Yu in command at Xinye, Liu Bei set forth, taking Zhang Fei with five hundred soldiers as his escort.
On the way he discussed the course of action with his adviser, who said, "First you must thank Liu Biao for having saved you from the evil that Cai Mao planned against you at Xiangyang. However, you must not undertake any expedition against the South Land but say you must return to Xinye to put your army in good order."

9 荆州城公... :
玄德依言，来到荆州，馆驿安下，留张飞屯兵城外。玄德与孔明入城见刘表。礼毕，玄德请罪于阶下。表曰：“吾已悉知贤弟被害之事。当时即欲斩蔡瑁之首，以献贤弟。因众人告免，故姑恕之。弟幸勿见罪。”玄德曰：“非干蔡将军之事，想皆下人所为耳。”表曰：“今江夏失守，黄祖遇害，故请贤弟共议报复之策。”玄德曰：“黄祖性暴，不能用人，故致此祸。今若兴兵南征，倘曹操北来，又将奈何？”表曰：“吾今年老多病，不能理事，贤弟可来助我。我死之后，弟便为荆州之主也。”玄德曰：“兄何出此言？量备安敢当此重任？”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
With this admonition Liu Bei came to Jingzhou and was lodged in the guest-house. Zhang Fei and the escort camped without the walls. In due course Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were received, and after the customary salutations, Liu Bei apologized for his conduct at the banquet.
The host said, "Worthy brother, I know you were the victim of a vile plot; and I should have put the prime mover to death for it, had there not been so universal a prayer for mercy. However, I remitted that penalty. I hope you do not consider that I was wrong."
"Cai Mao had little to do with it. I think it was due to his subordinates," replied Liu Bei.
Liu Biao said, "Jiangxia is lost, as you know, and Huang Zu is dead. So I have asked you to come that we might take measures of vengeance."
"Huang Zu was harsh and cruel and never used his people in the proper way: That was the real cause of his fall. But have you reflected what Cao Cao may do on the north if we attack the south?"
"I am getting old and weak, and I am unable to manage affairs properly. Will you aid me, brother? After I am gone you will have this region."
"Why do you say this, my brother? Think you that I am equal to such a task?"

10 荆州城公... :
孔明以目视玄德。玄德曰：“容徐思良策。”遂辞出，回至馆驿。孔明曰：“景升欲以荆州付主公，奈何却之？”玄德曰：“景升待我，恩礼交至，安忍乘其危而夺之？”孔明叹曰：“真仁慈之主也！”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Here Zhuge Liang glanced at Liu Bei who continued, "But give me a little time to think it over."
And at this point he took his leave.
When they had reached their lodging, Zhuge Liang said, "Why did you decline his offer of the region."
"He has always been most kind and courteous. I could not take advantage of his weakness."
"A perfectly kind and gracious lord," sighed Zhuge Liang.

11 荆州城公... :
正商论间，忽报公子刘琦来见。玄德接入。琦泣拜曰：“继母不能相容，性命只在旦夕，望叔父怜而救之。”玄德曰：“此贤侄家事耳，奈何问我？”孔明微笑，玄德求计于孔明。孔明曰：“此家事，亮不敢与闻。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Soon after the son of the Imperial Protector, Liu Qi, was announced, and Liu Bei received him and led him in.
The young man began to weep, saying, "My mother cannot bear the sight of me. My very life is in danger. Can you not save me, Uncle?"
"My worthy nephew, this is a family affair. You should not come to me."
Zhuge Liang who was present, smiled. Liu Bei turned to him to know what he should do.
"This is a family affair. I cannot touch it!" replied Zhuge Liang.

12 荆州城公... :
少时，玄德送琦出，附耳低言曰：“来日我使孔明回拜贤侄，可如此如此，彼定有妙计相告。”琦谢而去。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
The young man soon left, and when Liu Bei was saying good-bye, he whispered, "I will get Zhuge Liang to return your call, and you can do so and so. He will advise you." Liu Qi thanked him and left.

13 荆州城公... :
次日，玄德只推腹痛，乃挽孔明代往回拜刘琦。孔明允诺，来至公子宅前下马，入见公子。公子邀入后堂。茶罢，琦曰：“琦不见容于继母，幸先生一言相救。”孔明曰：“亮客寄于此，岂敢与人骨肉之事？倘有泄漏，为害不浅。”说罢，起身告辞。琦曰：“既承光顾，安敢慢待？”乃挽留孔明入密至共饮。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Next day when the call was to be returned, Liu Bei pretended to be suffering from colic and made that an excuse to send Zhuge Liang to return the call.
The adviser went, and when he had reached the palace, dismounted, and was led in, Liu Qi conducted him into one of the inner rooms.
When the tea had been brought, Liu Qi said, "I am an object of my stepmother's dislike. Can you advise me what to do?"
"As a mere stranger guest, I can hardly have anything to do with your own 'bone and flesh' matters. If I did, and the story got abroad, much harm might ensue."
With this he rose to take leave. But Liu Qi was unwilling to say farewell, and he said, "Your glory has turned in my direction. You cannot mean to go away so pointlessly."
Liu Qi led his visitor into a private chamber and had refreshments brought.

14 荆州城公... :
饮酒之间，琦又曰：“继母不见容，乞先生一言救我。”孔明曰：“此非亮所敢谋也。”言讫，又欲辞去。琦曰：“先生不言则已，何便欲去？”孔明乃复坐。琦曰：“琦有一古书，请先生一观。”乃引孔明登一小楼。孔明曰：“书在何处？”琦泣拜曰：“继母不见容，琦命在旦夕，先生忍无一言相救乎？”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
While they ate and drank, Liu Qi repeated his first request: What was he to do since his stepmother disliked him.
"It is not the sort of thing I can advise in," replied Zhuge Liang, as he rose for the second time to take leave.
"Master, if you will not reply, that is well. But why incontinently leave me?"
So the adviser once more seated himself, and Liu Qi said, "There is an ancient writing I should like to show you."
And he led his visitor to a small upper room.
"Where is the writing?" said Zhuge Liang.
Instead of answering Liu Qi wept, saying, "My stepmother cannot bear me. My life is in danger. O Master, will you not say a word to save me?"

15 荆州城公... :
孔明作色而起，便欲下楼，只见楼梯已撤去。琦告曰：“琦欲求教良策，先生恐有泄漏，不肯出言；今日上不至天，下不至地，出君之口，入琦之耳，可以赐教矣。”孔明曰：“‘疏不间亲’，亮何能为公子谋？”琦曰：“先生终不肯教琦乎？琦命固不保矣，请即死于先生之前。”乃掣剑欲自刎。孔明止之曰：“已有良计。”琦拜曰：“愿即赐教。”孔明曰：“公子岂不闻申生、重耳之事乎？申生在内而亡，重耳在外而安。今黄祖新亡，江夏乏人守御，公子何不上言，乞屯兵守江夏？则可以避祸矣。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Zhuge Liang flushed and rose to go away. But he found the ladder by which they had mounted had been removed.
Again Liu Qi besought some advice, saying, "Master, you fear lest it may get abroad! Is that why you are silent? Here we are between earth and sky, and what you say will come out of your mouth directly into my ear. No other soul can hear. Now can you tell me what to do?"
"Sow not dissension among relatives," said Zhuge Liang. "Is it possible for me to make any plan for you?"
"Then is my life indeed in danger," said the young man. "I will die at your feet."
So saying, Liu Qi pulled out a dagger and threatened to make an end of himself.
Zhuge Liang checked him, saying, "There is a way."
"I pray you tell me."
"You have heard of the old tale of the brothers Shen Sheng and Chong Er, have you not? Shen Sheng stayed at home and died; his brother Chong Er went away and lived in peace. Now that Huang Zu is gone and Jiangxia is weakly defended, why do you not ask to be sent there to guard it? Then you would be out of the way of harm."

16 荆州城公... :
琦再拜谢教，乃命人取梯送孔明下楼。孔明辞别，回见玄德，具言其事，玄德大喜。次日，刘琦上言，欲守江夏。刘表犹豫未决，请玄德共议。玄德曰：“江夏重地，固非他人可守，正须公子自往。东南之事，兄父子当之；西北之事，备愿当之。”表曰：“近闻曹操于邺郡作玄武池以练水军，必有南征之意，不可不防。”玄德曰：“备已知之，兄勿忧虑。”遂拜辞回新野。刘表令刘琦引兵三千往江夏镇守。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Liu Qi thanked him. Then he called to his people to restore the ladder, and he escorted Zhuge Liang down to the level ground.
Zhuge Liang returned to Liu Bei and related the whole interview. The young man soon acted on the advice given him, but his father would not at first consent to let him go.
To settle his doubts Liu Biao sent for Liu Bei, who said, "Jiangxia is important, and your son is the most suitable man to defend it. You must let him go. The southeast will be defended by your son. The northwest I will look after."
"I hear that Cao Cao has been training a naval force, and I am afraid he has intentions against us. We must be on our guard."
"I know all about it. You need feel no anxiety," said Liu Bei.
He took leave of his relative and went home while Liu Qi received command of three thousand soldiers and went to guard Jiangxia.

17 荆州城公... :
却说曹操罢三公之职，自以丞相兼之，以毛玠为东曹掾；崔琰为西曹掾；司马懿为文学掾。懿字仲达，河内温人也：颍川太守司马隽之孙，京兆尹司马防之子，主簿司马朗之弟也。自是文官大备，乃聚武将商议南征。夏侯敦进曰：“近闻刘备在新野，每日教演士卒，必为后患，可早图之。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
At this time Cao Cao suppressed the three highest officers of state and exercised their functions himself as the Prime Minister. He appointed as his general secretaries Mao Jie and Cui Yan, and as literary secretary Sima Yi. Sima Yi of Henei was grandson of Sima Juan, Governor of Yingchuan; son of Sima Fang, Governor of Jingzhao; and younger brother of Sima Lang, Secretary General.

18 荆州城公... :
操即命夏侯敦为都督；于禁、李典、夏侯兰、韩浩为副将；领兵十万，直抵博望城，以窥新野。荀彧谏曰：“刘备英雄，今更兼诸葛亮为军师，不可轻敌。”敦曰：“刘备鼠辈耳，吾必擒之。”徐庶曰：“将军勿轻视刘玄德。今玄德得诸葛亮为辅，如虎生翼矣。”操曰：“诸葛亮何人也？”庶曰：“亮字孔明，道号卧龙先生。有经天纬地之才，出鬼入神之计，真当世奇士，非可小觑。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Cao Cao then called his officers to a council to discuss an expedition against the south.
Xiahou Dun opened the debate, saying, "Liu Bei is drilling his army at Xinye, and is a source of danger. He should be destroyed."
Accordingly Xiahou Dun was appointed Commanding General, and four assistants —-Yu Jin, Li Dian, Xiahou Lan, and Han Hao —-were given him. With these he led one hundred thousand troops to Bowang, whence he could observe Xinye.
Xun Yu was opposed to this and said, "Liu Bei is a famous warrior, and he has lately taken to himself as his Directing Instructor Zhuge Liang. Caution is needed!"
Xiahou Dun replied, "Liu Bei is a mean rat! I will certainly take him prisoner."
"Do not despise him," said Xu Shu. "Remember he has Zhuge Liang to help him, and so he is like a tiger who has grown wings."

19 荆州城公... :
操曰：“比公若何？”庶曰：“庶安敢比亮？庶如萤火之光，亮乃皓月之明也。”夏侯敦曰：“元直之言谬矣。吾看诸葛亮如草芥耳，何足惧哉！吾若不一阵生擒刘备，活捉诸葛，愿将首级献与丞相。”操曰：“汝早报捷书，以慰吾心。”敦奋然辞曹操，引军登程。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Cao Cao said, "Who is this Zhuge Liang?"
"He has taken a Daoist cognomen of Sleeping Dragon. He is a perfect genius, god and devil combined, the greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him."
"How does he stand as compared with you?" asked Cao Cao.
"There is no comparison. I am a mere glow-worm spark; he is the glory of the full moon," replied Xu Shu.
"You are mistaken," replied Xiahou Dun. "This Zhuge Liang of yours is of no account. Who would fear him? If I do not take him and his master prisoners in the first battle, then here is my head, a free gift to our lord, the Prime Minister."
"Hasten to comfort me with news of victory," said Cao Cao.
Xiahou Dun hastened to depart.

20 荆州城公... :
却说玄德自得孔明，以师礼待之。关、张二人不悦曰：“孔明年幼，有甚才学！兄长待之太过！又未见他真实效验！”玄德曰：“吾得孔明，犹鱼之得水也。两弟勿复多言。”关、张见说，不言而退。一日，有人送牦牛尾至。玄德取尾亲自结帽。孔明入见，正色曰：“明公无复有远志，但事此而已耶？”玄德投帽于地而谢曰：“吾聊假此以忘忧耳。”孔明曰：“明公自度比曹操若何？”玄德曰：“不如也。”孔明曰：“明公之众，不过数千人，万一曹兵至，何以迎之？”玄德曰：“吾正愁此事，未得良策。”孔明曰：“可速招募民兵，亮自教之，可以待敌。”玄德遂招新野之民，得三千人。孔明朝夕教演阵法。忽报曹操差夏侯敦引兵十万，杀奔新野来了。张飞闻知，谓云长曰：“可著孔明前去迎敌便了。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
The advent of Zhuge Liang and the extravagant deference shown him did not please Liu Bei's sworn brothers who grumbled, saying, "He is very young, although he is clever and learned. Our brother really treats him too well. We have not seen any evidence of his wonderful skill."
Liu Bei replied, "You do not know his worth. I have him as if the fish has got into the water again. Pray do not discuss this matter further, my brothers."
They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied.
One day a man presented Liu Bei with a yak's tail, and he at once was trying to weave it into his cap as an ornament. Zhuge Liang came in and noticed it at once.
"Then you have renounced all ambitions, my lord. You are just going to attend to this sort of thing," Zhuge Liang quietly remarked.
Liu Bei snatched off his cap and flung it away, saying, "I was only amusing myself with the thing."
"How do you think you stand compared with Cao Cao?" asked Zhuge Liang.
"Inferior."
"Yes. Your army is less than ten thousand, and the chances are ten thousand to one that he will attack. How can we meet him?"
"I am greatly distressed about it, but I see no way."
"You might recruit, and I will train them. Then we might be able to oppose him."
So recruiting began and three thousand were enlisted. Zhuge Liang set about drilling them diligently.
Soon they heard that Xiahou Dun was leading an army of one hundred thousand troops against them.
When he heard it, Zhang Fei said to his brother, Guan Yu, "We will get this Zhuge Liang to go and fight them."

21 荆州城公... :
正说之间，玄德召二人入，谓曰：“夏侯敦引兵到来，如何迎敌？”张飞曰：“哥哥何不使‘水’去？”玄德曰：“智赖孔明，勇须二弟，何可推诿？”关、张出，玄德请孔明商议。孔明曰：“但恐关、张二人，不肯听吾号令。主公若欲亮行兵，乞假剑印。”玄德便以剑印付孔明，孔明遂聚集众将听令。张飞谓云长曰：“且听令去，看他如何调度。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked their advice.
"Why not send the 'Water,' brother?" said Zhang Fei.
"For method I rely on Zhuge Liang; but for action I put my faith in you, my brothers. Are you going to fail me?"
They went out, and Zhuge Liang was called.
"I fear your brothers will not obey me," said Zhuge Liang.
"Wherefore, if I am to direct the campaign, you must give me a seal of office and a sword of authority."
So Liu Bei gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power, Zhuge Liang assembled the officers to receive their orders.
"We will go just to see what he will do," said Zhang Fei to Guan Yu.

22 荆州城公... :
孔明令曰：“博望之左有山，名曰豫山；右有林，名曰安林；可以埋伏军马。云长可引一千军往豫山之前，先且埋伏，等彼军至，放过休敌。其辎重粮草，必在后面。但看南面火起，可纵兵出击，就焚其粮草。翼德可引一千军去安林背后山谷中埋伏，只看南面火起，便可出，向博望城旧屯粮草处纵火烧之。关平、刘封可引兵五百军，预备引火之物，于博望坡后两边等候，至初更兵到，便可放火矣。”──又命于樊城取回赵云，令为前部，不要赢，只要输。──“主公自引一军为后援。各须依计而行，勿使有失。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
In the assembly Zhuge Liang spoke, saying, "On the left of Bowang are Yushan Hills. On the right is Anlin Forest. There we will prepare an ambush. Guan Yu will go to Yushan Hills with one thousand soldiers. He is to remain there quiescent till the enemy has passed; but when he sees a flame in the south, that will be the signal to attack. He will first burn their baggage train. Zhang Fei will go to a valley behind Anlin Forest. When he sees the signal, he is to go to the old stores depot at Bowang and burn that. Liu Feng and Guan Ping will take five hundred soldiers each to the south, prepare combustibles and be ready with them beyond Bowang Slope. The enemy will arrive about dusk, and then the two generals can start the blare. Zhao Zilong, now recalled from Fancheng, is to lead the attack, but he is to lose and not win. And our lord is to command the reserve. See that each one obeys these orders and let there be no mistakes."

23 荆州城公... :
云长曰：“我等皆出迎敌，未审军师却作何事？”孔明曰：“我只坐守此城。”张飞大笑曰：“我们都去厮杀，你却在家里坐地，好自在！”孔明曰：“剑印在此，违令者斩！”玄德曰：“岂不闻‘运筹帷幄之中，决胜千里之外’？二弟不可违令。”张飞冷笑而去。云长曰：“我们且看他的计应也不应，那时却来问他未迟。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Then said Guan Yu, "All of us are to go out to meet the enemy, but I have not yet heard what you are going to do."
"I will just be sitting here guarding the city."
Zhang Fei burst into a laugh, "We are to go out to bloody battle, and you are to stay quietly at home quite comfortable."
"Here is the sword and here the seal!" replied the strategist, displaying the emblems of authority. "Disobedience of orders will be death."
Liu Bei said, "Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber decide success over thousands of miles? Do not disobey the command, my brothers."
Zhang Fei went out smiling cynically.
Guan Yu remarked, "Let us await the result. If he fails, then we can look to it."

24 荆州城公... :
二人去了。众将皆未知孔明韬略，今虽听令，却都疑惑不定。孔明谓玄德曰：“主公今日可便引兵就博望山下屯住。来日黄昏，敌军必到，主公便弃营而走。但见火起，即回军掩杀。亮与糜竺、糜芳引五百军守县，命孙乾、简雍准备庆喜筵席，安排‘功劳簿’伺候。”派拨已毕，玄德亦疑惑不定。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
The brothers left. None of the officers understood anything of the general line of strategy and, though they obeyed orders, they were not without doubts and misgivings.
Zhuge Liang said to Liu Bei, "You may now lead your soldiers to the hills and camp till the enemy shall arrive tomorrow evening. Then you are to abandon the camp and move away retreating till the signal is seen. Then you will advance and attack with all force. Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, and I will guard the city."
In the city Zhuge Liang prepared banquets to celebrate the victory and also prepared the books to record exceptional services.
Liu Bei noted all these things, but his heart was also troubled not a little.

25 荆州城公... :
却说夏侯敦与于禁等引兵至博望，分一半精兵作前队，其馀尽护粮车而行。时当秋月，商飙徐起。人马趱行之间，望见前面尘头忽起。敦便将人马摆开，问乡导官曰：“此间是何处？”答曰：“前面便是博望坡，后面是罗川口。”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Cao Cao's army of one hundred thousand troops in due course reached Bowang. Then half of them, the veterans, were told off for the first attack, and the remainder were to guard the baggage train and supplies. Thus they marched in two divisions. The season was autumn and a chilly wind began to blow.
They pressed forward. Presently they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them, and Xiahou Dun ordered the ranks to be reformed. He questioned the guides as to the name of the place.
"The place in front is Bowang Slope, and behind us is the River Luo," was the reply.

26 荆州城公... :
敦令于禁、李典押住阵脚，亲自出马阵前。遥望军马来到，敦忽然大笑。众问：“将军为何而笑？”敦曰：“吾笑徐元直在丞相面前，夸诸葛亮为天人！今观其用兵，乃以此等军马为前部，与吾对敌，正如驱犬羊与虎豹斗耳！吾于丞相前夸口，要活捉刘备、诸葛亮，今必应吾言矣。”遂自纵马向前。赵云出马。敦骂曰：“汝等随刘备，如孤魂随鬼耳！”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Then Xiahou Dun rode to the front to reconnoiter, leaving Yu Jin and Li Dian to finish setting out the battle array.
Presently Xiahou Dun began to laugh and, when they asked the cause of this merriment, he replied, "Xu Shu praised Zhuge Liang to the very skies as something more than human. But now that I see how he has placed his soldiers and the stuff he has put into his vanguard, it seems to me that he is sending dogs or sheep against tigers and leopards. I bragged a little when I said I would take him prisoner, but I am going to make good my boast!"
Then he rode forward at full speed.
Zhao Zilong rode to meet him, and Xiahou Dun opened a volley of abuse, "You lot, followers of Liu Bei, are only like wraiths following devils!"

27 荆州城公... :
云大怒，纵马来战。两马相交，不数合，云诈败而走。夏侯敦从后追赶。云约走十馀里，回马又战，不数合又走。韩浩拍马向前谏曰：“赵云诱敌，恐有埋伏。”敦曰：“敌军如此，虽十面埋伏，吾何惧哉！”遂不听浩言，直赶至博望坡。一声炮响，玄德自引军冲将过来，接应交战。夏侯敦笑谓韩浩曰：“此即埋伏之兵也！吾今晚不到新野，誓不罢兵！”乃催军前进。玄德、赵云退后便走。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
This angered Zhao Zilong and a combat began. In a little time Zhao Zilong turned and retreated as if he was worsted. Xiahou Dun pressed after him and kept up the chase for some three miles. Then Zhao Zilong suddenly turned again and offered fight, but only to retreat after a few passes.
Seeing these tactics Han Hao, one of Xiahou Dun's generals, rode up to his chief and urged him to use caution, saying, "I fear he is trying to lead us into an ambush."
"With such antagonists as these, I should not fear even Ten Ambushes!" replied Xiahou Dun, pressing forward eagerly.
Just as he reached the slope, he heard the roar of a bomb and out came Liu Bei to attack.
"Here is your ambush!" said Xiahou Dun, laughing. "I will get to Xinye this evening before I have done."
Xiahou Dun urged his soldiers forward, and his opponents retired in measure as he advanced.

28 荆州城公... :
时天色己晚，浓云密布，又无月色；昼风既起，夜风愈大。夏侯敦只顾催军赶杀。于禁、李典赶到窄狭处，两边都是芦苇。典谓禁曰：“欺敌者必败。南道路狭，山川相逼，树木丛杂，倘彼用火攻，奈何？”禁曰：“君言是也。吾当往前为都督言之。君可止住后军。”李典便勒回马，大叫：“后军慢行！”人马走发，那里拦当得住。于禁骤马大叫：“前军都督且住！”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
As evening came on, thick clouds overcast the whole sky. The wind increased but the leader still urged his troops after the retreating foe.
The two generals in the rear came to a narrow part of the road with reeds and rushes thick all round them.
"Those who despise the enemy are beaten," said Li Dian to Yu Jin. "Away south there the roads are narrow, and streams and mountains make the country difficult. The forests are dense, and if the enemy used fire we should be lost."
"You are right," replied Yu Jin. "I will get on and warn the Commanding General. Perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up."
Yu Jin rode forward shouting at the top of his voice, "Halt the train!"

29 荆州城公... :
夏侯敦正走之间，见于禁从后军奔来，便问何故。禁曰：“南道路狭，山川相逼，树木丛杂，可防火攻。”夏侯敦猛省，即回马令军马勿进。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Xiahou Dun saw him coming up and asked what the matter was.
Yu Jin said, "The roads here are narrow and difficult. Around us are thick forests. What if they use fire?"
Xiahou Dun's ferocity had then somewhat abated, and he turned his steed toward his main body.

30 荆州城公... :
言未已，只听背后喊声震起，早望见一派火光烧著；随后两边芦苇亦著。一霎时，四方八面，尽皆是火。又值风大，火势愈猛。曹家人马，自相践踏，死者不计其数。赵云回军赶杀，夏侯敦冒烟突火而走。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in "the four quarters and the eight sides," and fanned by a strong wind.
Xiahou Dun's troops were thrown into confusion and trampled each other down. Many perished. Zhao Zilong turned on them again to make a slaughter. Xiahou Dun dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.

31 荆州城公... :
且说李典见势头不好，急奔回博望城，时火光中一军拦住。当先大将，乃关云长也。李典纵马混战，夺路而走。于禁见粮草车辆，都被火烧，便投小路奔逃去了。夏侯兰、韩浩来救粮草，正遇张飞。战不数合，张飞一枪刺夏侯兰于马下。韩浩夺路走脱。直杀到天明，却才收军。杀得尸横遍野，血流成河。后人有诗曰：
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Now Li Dian saw that things were going very badly, so he turned to get back to Bowang but fell upon a body of troops in the way, led by Guan Yu. He desperately dashed into their midst and managed to get clear. Yu Jin saw the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to guard, so he escaped along a bye-path. Two other generals, who came to try to save the baggage train, met Zhang Fei; and Xiahou Lan was slain forthwith, but Han Hao managed to flee. Next morning the countryside was strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.
博望相持用火攻，指挥如意笑谈中。直须惊破曹公胆，初出茅庐第一功！
The armies met on Bowang Slope
And Zhuge Liang fought with fire;
A perfect strategist, he bent
All humans to his desire.
But poor Cao Cao, his enemy,
He trembled in his shoes
Before the man, who'd never fought
But yet could armies use.

32 荆州城公... :
夏侯敦收拾残军，自回许昌。却说孔明收军，关、张二人相谓曰：“孔明真英杰也！”行不数里，见糜竺、糜芳引军簇拥著一辆小军，车中端坐一人，乃孔明也。关、张下马拜伏于车前。须臾，玄德、赵云、刘封、关平等皆至，收聚众军，把所获粮草辎重，分赏将士，班师回新野。新野百姓望尘遮道而拜，曰：“吾属生全，皆使君得贤人之力也！”
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Xiahou Dun drew up the battered remains of his army and led them back to Xuchang.
Zhuge Liang ordered his armies to collect.
As Guan Yu and Zhang Fei rode homeward, they confessed, saying, "Zhuge Liang is really a fine strategist!"
Before long they saw Mi Zhu and Mi Fang leading out a small body of soldiers. Among them was a light carriage in which the Directing Instructor Zhuge Liang was seating. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei dismounted and bowed before him. The remaining bodies came in. The spoil was distributed among the soldiers and all returned to Xinye, where the populace lined the roads to bid them welcome.
"We owe our lives to the Prince!" they cried to Liu Bei.

33 荆州城公... :
孔明回至县中，谓玄德曰：“夏侯敦虽败去，曹操必自引大军来。”玄德曰：“似此如之奈何？”孔明曰：“亮有一计，可敌曹军。”正是：破敌未堪息战马，避兵又必赖良谋。未知其计若何，且看下文分解。
At Jingzhou, The Son...:
Said Zhuge Liang, "Xiahou Dun has been driven off, but Cao Cao will come with a stronger force."
"And what shall we do?" replied Liu Bei.
"My plan is quite ready," said Zhuge Liang.
Always battles, nowhere rest for horse or human;
Must rely on ruses, dodging where one can.
The plan prepared against Cao Cao will be unfolded in the next chapter.

URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch39