| Chinese Text Project | |
| Simplified Chinese version |
《夺冀州袁尚争锋，决漳河许攸献计 - Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang Strives; River Zhang Cut: Xu You Schemes》 |
| 1 | 夺冀州袁... : | 却说袁尚自斩史涣之后，自负其勇，不待袁谭等兵至，自引兵数万出黎阳，与曹军前队相迎。张辽当先出马，袁尚挺枪来战，不三合，架隔遮拦不住，大败而走。张辽乘势掩杀，袁尚不能主张，急急引军奔回冀州。袁绍闻袁尚败回，又受了一惊，旧病复发，吐血数斗，昏倒在地。刘夫人慌救入卧内，病势渐危。刘夫人急请审配、逢纪，直至袁绍榻前，商议后事。绍但以手指而不能言。刘夫人曰：“尚可继后嗣否？”绍点头。审配便就榻前写了遗嘱。绍翻身大叫一声，又吐血斗馀而死。后人有诗曰： |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Yuan Shang was puffed up with pride after his victory over Shi Huan and, without deigning to wait the arrival of his brothers, he marched out with thirty thousand troops to Liyang to meet the army of Cao Cao. Zhang Liao came out to challenge him, and Yuan Shang, accepting the challenge rode out with spear set. But he only lasted to the third bout when he had to give way. Zhang Liao smote with full force and Yuan Shang, quite broken, fled pell-mell to Jizhou. His defeat was a heavy shock to his father Yuan Shao, who had a severe fit of hemorrhage at the news and swooned. Lady Liu, his wife, got him to bed as quickly as possible, but he did not rally; and she soon saw it was necessary to prepare for the end. So she sent for Shen Pei and Peng Ji that the succession might be settled. They came and stood by the sick man's bed, but by this time he could no longer speak. He only made motions with his hands. When his wife put the formal question, "Is Yuan Shang to succeed?" Yuan Shao nodded his head. Shen Pei at the bedside wrote out the dying man's testament. Presently Yuan Shao uttered a loud moan, a fresh fit of bleeding followed, and he passed away. | |
| 累世公卿立大名，少年意气自纵横。空招俊杰三千客，漫有英雄百万兵。羊质虎皮功不就，凤毛鸡胆事难成。更怜一种伤心处，家难徒延两弟兄。 | ||
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Born of a line of nobles famous for generations, He himself in his youth was wayward always and headstrong, Vainly he called to his side generals skilled and courageous, Gathered beneath his banner countless legions of soldiers, For he was timid at heart, a lamb dressed as a tiger, Merely a cowardly chicken, phoenix-feathered but spurless. Pitiful was the fate of his house; for when he departed Brother with brother strove and quarrels arose in the household. | ||
| 2 | 夺冀州袁... : | 袁绍既死，审配等主持丧事。刘夫人便将袁绍所爱宠妾五人，尽行杀害；又恐其阴魂于九泉之下再与绍相见，乃髡其发，刺其面，毁其尸：其妒恶如此。袁尚恐宠妾家属为害，并收而杀之。审配、逢纪立袁尚为大司马将军，领冀、青、幽、并四州牧，遣使报丧。此时袁谭已发兵离青州；知父死，便与郭图、辛评商议。图曰：“主公不在冀州，审配、逢纪必立显甫为主矣。当速行。”辛评曰：“审、逢二人，必预定机谋。今若速往，必遭其祸。”袁谭曰：“若当此如何？”郭图曰：“可屯兵城外，观其动静。某当亲往察之。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Shen Pei and some others set about the mourning ceremonies for the dead man. His wife, Lady Liu, put to death five of his favorite concubines, and such was the bitterness of her jealousy that, not content with this, she shaved off the hair and slashed the faces of their poor corpses lest their spirits should meet and rejoin her late husband in the land of shades beneath the Nine Golden Springs. Her son followed up this piece of cruelty by slaying all the relatives of the unhappy concubines lest they should avenge their deaths. Shen Pei and Peng Ji declared Yuan Shang successor with the titles of Regent Marshal and Supreme Imperial Protector of the four regions of Jizhou, Qingzhou, Youzhou, and Bingzhou and sent in a report of the death of the late Imperial Protector. At this time Yuan Tan, the eldest son, had already marched out his army to oppose Cao Cao. But hearing of his father's death, he called in Guo Tu and Xin Ping to consult as to his course of action. "In your absence, my lord," said Guo Tu, "the two advisers of your younger brother will certainly set him up as lord, wherefore you must act quickly." "Those two, Shen Pei and Peng Ji, have already laid their plans," said Xin Ping. "If you go, you will meet with some misfortune." "Then what should I do?" asked Yuan Tan. Guo Tu replied, "Go and camp near the city, and watch what is taking place while I enter and inquire." | |
| 3 | 夺冀州袁... : | 谭依言。郭图遂入冀州，见袁尚。礼毕，尚问：“兄何不至？”图曰：“因抱病在军中，不能相见。”尚曰：“吾受父亲遗命，立我为主，加兄为车骑将军。目下曹军压境，请兄为前部，吾随后便调兵接应也。”图曰：“军中无人商议良策，愿乞审正南、逢元图二人为辅。”尚曰：“吾亦欲仗此二人早晚画策，如何离得？”图曰：“然则于二人内遣一人去，何如？”尚不得已，乃令二人拈阄，拈著者便去。逢纪拈著，尚即命逢纪赍印缓，同郭图赴袁谭军中。纪随图至谭军，见谭无病，心中不安，献上印缓。谭大怒，欲斩逢纪。郭图密谏曰：“今曹军压境，且只款留逢纪在此，以安尚心。待破曹之后，却来争冀州不迟。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Accordingly Guo Tu entered the city and sought an interview with the young Imperial Protector. "Why did not my brother come?" asked Yuan Shang after the usual salutes. Guo Tu said, "He cannot come as he is in the camp unwell." "By the command of my late father, I take the lordship. Now I confer upon my brother the rank of General of the Flying Cavalry, and I wish him to go at once to attack Cao Cao, who is pressing on the borders. I will follow as soon as my army is in order." "There is no one in our camp to give advice," said Guo Tu. "I wish to have the services of Shen Pei and Peng Ji." "I also need the help of these two," said Yuan Shang. "And as I am always working at schemes, I do not see how I can do without them." "Then let one of these two go," replied Guo Tu. Yuan Shang could do no other than accede to this request, so he bade the two men cast lots who should go. Peng Ji drew the lot and was appointed, receiving a seal of office. Then he accompanied Guo Tu to the camp. But when he arrived and found Yuan Tan in perfect health, he grew suspicious and resigned. Yuan Tan angrily refused to accept his resignation and was disposed to put him to death, but Guo Tu privately dissuaded him, saying, "Cao Cao is on the borders, and Peng Ji must be kept here to allay your brother's suspicions. After we have beaten Cao Cao, we can at once make an attempt on Jizhou." | |
| 4 | 夺冀州袁... : | 谭从其言。即时拔寨起行，前至黎阳，与曹军相抵。谭遣大将汪昭出战，操遣徐晃迎敌。二将战不数合，徐晃一刀斩汪昭于马下。曹军乘势掩杀，谭军大败。谭收败军入黎阳，遣人求救于尚。尚与审配计议，只发兵五千馀人相助。曹操探知救军已到，遣乐进、李典引兵于半路接著，两头围住尽杀之。袁谭知尚止拨兵五千，又被半路坑杀，大怒，乃唤逢纪责骂。纪曰：“容某作书致主公，求其亲自来救。”谭即令纪作书，遣人到冀州致袁尚。尚与审配共议。配曰：“郭图多谋，前次不争而去者，为曹军在境也。今若破曹，必来争冀州矣。不如不发救兵，借操之力以除之。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Yuan Tan agreed and forthwith broke up his camp to march against the enemy. He reached Liyang and lost no time in offering battle. He chose for his champion Wang Zhao and, when Wang Zhao rode out, Cao Cao sent Xu Huang to meet him. These two had fought but a few bouts when Wang Zhao was slain. At once Cao Cao's army pressed forward, and Yuan Tan suffered a severe defeat. Yuan Tan drew off his army and retired into Liyang, whence he sent to his brother for reinforcements. Yuan Shang and his adviser Shen Pei discussed the matter and only five thousand troops were sent. Cao Cao hearing of the dispatch of this meager force sent Li Dian and Yue Jing to waylay them, and the half legion was destroyed. When Yuan Tan heard of the inadequate force sent and their destruction, he was very wrath and roundly abused Peng Ji. Peng Ji replied, "Let me write to my lord and pray him to come himself." So Peng Ji wrote and the letter was sent. When it arrived, Yuan Shang again consulted Shen Pei. The Counselor said, "Guo Tu, your elder brother's adviser, is very guileful. Formerly he left without discussion because Cao Cao was on the border. If Cao Cao be defeated, there will certainly be an attempt on you. The better plan is to withhold assistance and use Cao Cao's hand to destroy your rival." | |
| 5 | 夺冀州袁... : | 尚从其言，不肯发兵。使者回报，谭大怒，立斩逢纪，议欲降曹。早有细作密报袁尚。尚与审配议曰：“使谭降曹，并力来攻，则冀州危矣。”乃留审配并大将苏由固守冀州，自领大军来黎阳救谭。尚问军中谁敢为前部，大将吕旷、吕翔兄弟二人愿去。尚点兵三万，使为先锋，先至黎阳。谭闻尚自来，大喜，遂罢降曹之议。谭屯兵城中，尚屯兵城外，为犄角之势。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Yuan Shang took his advice and no help was sent. When the messenger returned to Liyang without success, Yuan Tan was very angry and showed it by putting Peng Ji to death. He also began to talk of surrendering to Cao Cao. Soon spies brought news of this to Yuan Shang, and again Shen Pei was called in. Yuan Shang said, "If Yuan Tan goes over to Cao Cao, they will both attack Jizhou, and we shall be in great danger." Finally Shen Pei and General Su You were left to take care of the defense of the city, and Yuan Shang marched his army to the rescue of his brother. "Who dares lead the van?" said Yuan Shang. Two brothers named Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang volunteered, and thirty thousand troops were given them. They were the first to reach Liyang. Yuan Tan was pleased that Yuan Shang had decided to play a brotherly part and come to his aid, so he at once abandoned all thought of going over to the enemy. He being in the city, Yuan Shang camped outside, making that an ox-horn formation of their strategic position. | |
| 6 | 夺冀州袁... : | 不一日，袁熙、高干皆领军到城外，屯兵三处，每日出兵与操相持。尚屡败，操兵屡胜。至建安八年春三月，操分路攻打，袁谭、袁熙、袁尚、高干皆大败，弃黎阳而走。操引兵迫至冀州。谭与尚入城坚守，熙与干离城三十里下寨，虚张声势。操兵连日攻打不下。郭嘉进曰：“袁氏废长立幼，而兄弟之间，权力相并，各自树党，急之则相救，缓之则相争，不如举兵南向荆州，征讨刘表，以候袁氏兄弟之变；变成而后击之，可一举而定也。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Before long Yuan Xi, the second brother, and their cousin, Gao Gan, arrived with their legions and also camped outside the city. Engagements took place daily, and Yuan Shang suffered many defeats. On the other hand Cao Cao was victorious and elated. In the second month of the eighth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 203), Cao Cao made separate attacks on all four armies and won the day against each. Then the Yuans abandoned Liyang, and Cao Cao pursued them to Jizhou, where Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang went into the city to defend it, while their brother and cousin camped about ten miles away making a show of great force. When Cao Cao had made many attacks without success, Guo Jia proffered the following plan. He said, "There is dissension among the Yuans because the elder has been superseded in the succession. The brothers are about equally strong and each has his party. If we oppose them, they unite to assist each other; but if we have patience, they will be weakened by family strife. Wherefore send first a force to reduce Liu Biao in Jingzhou, and let the fraternal quarrels develop. When they have fully developed, we can smite them and settle the matter." Cao Cao approved of the plan. So leaving Jia Xu as Governor of Liyang and Cao Hong as guard at Guandu, the army went away toward Jingzhou. | |
| 7 | 夺冀州袁... : | 操善其言，命贾诩为太守，守黎阳；曹洪引兵守官渡。操引大军向荆州进兵。谭、尚听知曹军自退，遂相庆贺。袁熙、高干各自辞去。袁谭与郭图、辛评议曰：“我为长子，反不能承父业；尚乃继母所生，反承大爵；心实不甘。”图曰：“主公可勒兵城外，只做请显甫、审配饮酒，伏刀斧手杀之，大事定矣。”谭从其言。适别驾王修自青州来，谭将此计告之。修曰：“兄弟者，左右手也。今与他人争斗，自断其手，而曰我必胜，安可得乎？夫弃兄弟而不亲，天下其谁亲之？彼谗人离间骨肉，以求一朝之利，愿塞耳勿听也。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
The two brothers Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang congratulated each other on the withdrawal of their enemy, and their brother Yuan Xi and their cousin Gao Gan marched their armies back to their own districts. Then the quarrels began. Yuan Tan said to his confidants Guo Tu and Xin Ping, "I, the eldest, have been prevented from succeeding my father, while the youngest son, born of a second wife, received the main heritage. My heart is bitter." Said Guo Tu, "Camp your army outside, invite your brother and Shen Pei to a banquet, and assassinate them. The whole matter is easily settled." And Yuan Tan agreed. It happened that Adviser Wang Xiu came just then from Qingzhou whom Yuan Tan took into his confidence. Wang Xiu opposed the murder plan, saying, "Brothers are as one's limbs. How can you possibly succeed if at a moment of conflict with an enemy you cut off one of your hands? If you abandon your brother and sever relationship, whom will you take in all the world as a relation? That fellow Guo Tu is a dangerous mischief-maker, who would sow dissension between brothers for a momentary advantage, and I beg you to shut your ears and not listen to his persuasions." | |
| 8 | 夺冀州袁... : | 谭怒，叱退王修，使人去请袁尚。尚与审配商议。配曰：“此必郭图之计也。主公若往，必遭奸计；不如乘势攻之。”袁尚依言，便披挂上马，引兵五万出城。袁谭见袁尚引军来，情知事泄，亦即披挂上马，与尚交锋。尚见谭大骂。谭亦骂曰：“汝药死父亲，篡夺爵位，今又来杀兄耶！”二人亲自交锋袁谭大败。尚亲冒矢石，冲突掩杀。谭引败军奔平原，尚收兵还。袁谭与郭图再议进兵，令岑璧为将，领兵前来。尚自引兵出冀州。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
This was displeasing to Yuan Tan, and he angrily dismissed Wang Xiu, while he sent the treacherous invitation to his brother. Yuan Shang and Shen Pei talked over the matter. Shen Pei said, "I recognize one of Guo Tu's stratagems and if you go, my lord, you will be the victim of their plot. Rather strike at them at once." Whereupon Yuan Shang rode out to battle. His brother Yuan Tan, seeing him come with fifty thousand troops, knew that his treachery had been discovered, so he also took the field. When the forces were near enough, Yuan Tan opened on Yuan Shang with a volley of abuse. "You poisoned my father and usurped the succession. Now you come out to slay your elder brother?" The battle went against Yuan Tan. Yuan Shang himself took part in the fight, risking the arrows and the stones. He urged on his troops and drove his brother off the field. Yuan Tan took refuge in Pingyuan. Yuan Shang drew off his army to his own city. Yuan Tan and Guo Tu decided upon a new attack, and this time they chose General Cen Bi as Leader of the Van. Yuan Shang went to meet him. | |
| 9 | 夺冀州袁... : | 两阵对圆，旗鼓相望。璧出骂阵，尚欲自战。大将吕旷，拍马舞刀，来战岑璧；二将战无数合，旷斩岑璧于马下。谭兵又败，再奔平原。审配劝尚进兵，追至平原。谭抵当不住，退入平原，坚守不出。尚三面围城攻打。谭与郭图计议。图曰：“今城中粮少，彼军方锐，势不相敌。愚意可遣人投降曹操，使操将兵攻冀州，尚必还救。将军引兵夹击之，尚可擒矣。若操击破尚军，我因而敛其军实以拒操。操军远来，粮食不继，必自退去；我可以仍据冀州，以图进取也。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
When both sides had been arrayed and the banners were flying and the drums beating, Cen Bi rode out to challenge and railed at his opponent. At first Yuan Shang was going to answer the challenge himself, but Lu Kuang had advanced. Lu Kuang and Cen Bi met but had fought only a few bouts when Cen Bi fell. Yuan Tan's soldiers were once more defeated and ran away to Pingyuan. Shen Pei urged his master to press for the advantage, and Yuan Tan was driven into the city, where he fortified himself and would not go out. So the city was besieged on three sides. Yuan Tan asked his strategist what should be done next, and Guo Tu said, "The city is short of food, the enemy is flushed with victory, and we cannot stand against them. My idea is to send someone to offer surrender to Cao Cao and thus get him to attack Jizhou. Your brother will be forced to return thither, which will leave you free to join in the attack. We may capture Yuan Shang. Should Cao Cao begin to get the better of your brother's army, we will lend our force to help Yuan Shang against Cao Cao; and as Cao Cao's base of supply is distant, we shall drive him off. And we can seize on Jizhou and begin our great design." | |
| 10 | 夺冀州袁... : | 谭从其言，问曰：“使人可为使？”图曰：“辛评之弟辛毗，字佐治，见为平原令。此人乃能言之士，可命为使。”谭即召辛毗。毗欣然而至。谭修书付毗，使三千军送毗出境。毗星夜赍书往见曹操。时操屯军西平伐刘表，表遣玄德引兵为前部以迎之。未及交锋，辛毗到操寨。见操礼毕，操问其来意，毗具言袁谭相求之意，呈上书信。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
"Supposing this scheme be attempted, who is the man for a messenger?" "I have one Xin Pi, Xin Ping's younger brother. Xin Pi is the magistrate here in this very place. He is a fluent speaker and good scholar and suited to your purpose." So Xin Pi was summoned and came readily enough. Letters were given him and an escort of three thousand soldiers took him beyond the border. He traveled as quickly as possible. At that time Cao Cao's camp was at the Xiping Pass and he was attacking Liu Biao, who had sent Liu Bei out to offer the first resistance. No battle had yet taken place. Soon after his arrival, Xin Pi was admitted to the Prime Minister's presence. After the ceremonies of greeting, Cao Cao asked the object of the visit. Xin Pi explained that Yuan Tan wanted assistance and presented his dispatches. | |
| 11 | 夺冀州袁... : | 操看书毕，留辛毗于寨中，聚文武计议。程昱曰：“袁谭被袁尚攻击太急，不得已而来降，不可准信。”吕虔、满宠亦曰：“丞相既引兵至此，安可复舍表而助谭？”荀攸曰：“三公之言未善。以愚意度之，天下方有事，而刘表坐保江、汉之间，不敢展足，其无四方之志可知矣；袁氏据四州之地，带甲数十万，若二子和睦，共守成业，天下事未可知也。今其兄弟相攻，势穷而投我，我提兵先除袁尚，后观其变。并灭袁谭，天下定矣。此机会不可失也。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Cao Cao read them and told the messenger to wait in his camp while he called his officers to a council. The council met. Cheng Yu said, "Yuan Tan has been forced into making this offer because of the pressure of his brother's attack. Put no trust in him." Lu Qian and Man Chong said, "You have led your armies here for a special purpose. How can you abandon that and go to assist Yuan Tan?" "Gentlemen, not one of you is giving good advice," interposed Xu You. "This is how I regard it. Since there is universal trouble, in the midst of which Liu Biao remains quietly content with his position between the River Zhang and the River Han, it is evident that he has no ambition to enlarge his borders. The Yuans hold four regions and have many legions of soldiers. Harmony between the two brothers means success for the family, and none can foresee what will happen in the empire. Now take advantage of this fraternal conflict and let them fight till they are weakened and have to yield to our Prime Minister. Then Yuan Shang can be removed, and when the times are suitable, Yuan Tan can be destroyed in his turn. Thus peace will ensue. This present combination of circumstances is to be taken advantage of to full measure." | |
| 12 | 夺冀州袁... : | 操大喜，便邀辛毗饮酒，谓之曰：“袁谭之降，真耶诈耶？袁尚之兵，果可必胜耶？”毗对曰：“明公勿问真与诈也，只论其势可耳。袁氏连年丧败，兵革疲于外，谋臣诛于内；兄弟谗隙，国分为二；加之饥馑并臻，天灾人困；无问智愚，皆知土崩瓦解。此乃天灭袁氏之时也。今明公提兵攻邺，袁尚不还救，则失巢穴；若还救，则谭踵袭其后。以明公之威，击疲惫之众，如迅风之扫秋叶也。不此之图，而伐荆州，荆州丰乐之地，国和民顺，未可摇动。况四方之患，莫大于河北。河北既平，则霸业成矣。愿明公详之。”操大喜曰：“恨与辛佐治相见之晚也！”即日督军还取冀州。玄德恐操有谋，不敢追袭，引兵自回荆州。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Cao Cao realized the truth of this and treated Xin Pi well. At a banquet Cao Cao said, "But is this surrender of Yuan Tan real or false? Do you really think that Yuan Shang's army is sure to overcome him?" Xin Pi replied, "Illustrious Sir, do not inquire into the degree of sincerity; rather regard the situation. The Yuans have been suffering military losses for years and are powerless without, while their strategists are put to death within. The brothers seize every chance to speak evil of each other, and their country is divided. Add to this famine, supplemented by calamities and general exhaustion, and everybody, wise as well as simple, can see that the catastrophe is near and the time ordained of Heaven for the destruction of the Yuans is at hand. Now you have a force attacking the capital of Jizhou —-Yejun —-and if Yuan Shang will not return to give aid, the place of refuge is lost. If he helps, then Yuan Tan will follow up and smite him, making use of your power to destroy the remnant of his brother's army, just as the autumn gale sweeps away the fallen leaves. Now Liu Biao's Jingzhou is rich, the government peaceful, the people submissive, and it cannot be shaken. Moreover, there is no greater threat to it than the North of Yellow River. If that be reduced, then the task is complete. I pray you, Sir, think of it." "I am sorry that I did not meet you earlier," said Cao Cao, much gratified with this speech. Forthwith orders were given to return and attack Jizhou. Liu Bei, fearing this retirement was only a ruse, allowed it to proceed without interference and himself returned to Jingzhou. | |
| 13 | 夺冀州袁... : | 却说袁尚知曹军渡河，急急引军还邺，命吕旷、吕翔断后。袁谭见尚退军，乃大起平原军马，随后赶来。行不到数十里，一声炮响，两军齐出，左边吕旷，右边吕翔，兄弟二人截住袁谭。谭勒马告二将曰：“吾父在日，吾并未慢待二将军，今何从吾弟而见迫耶。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
When Yuan Shang heard that Cao Cao had crossed the Yellow River, he hastily led his army back to Yejun, ordering Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang to guard the rear. Yuan Tan started from Pingyuan with a force in pursuit. He had proceeded only a dozen miles when he heard a bomb and two bodies of troops came out in front of him and checked his progress. Their leaders were Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang. Yuan Tan reined in and addressed them, saying, "While my father lived, I never treated you badly. Why do you support my brother and try to injure me?" | |
| 14 | 夺冀州袁... : | 二将闻言，乃下马降谭。谭曰：“勿降我，可降曹丞相。”二将因随谭归营。谭候操军至，引二将见操。操大喜，以女许谭为妻，即令吕旷、吕翔为媒。谭请操攻取冀州。操曰：“方今粮草不接，搬运劳苦，我由济河遏淇水入白沟，以通粮道，然后进兵。”令谭且居平原。操引军退屯黎阳，封吕旷、吕翔为列侯，随军听用。郭图谓袁谭曰：“曹操以女许婚，恐非真意。今又封赏吕旷、吕翔，带去军中，此乃牢笼河北人心。后必终为我祸。主公可刻将军印二颗，暗使人送与二吕，令作内应。待操破了袁尚，可乘便图之。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
The two generals had no reply to make, but they dismounted and bowed before him yielding submission. Yuan Tan said, "Do not surrender to me but to the Prime Minister." And he led them back to camp, where he waited the arrival of Cao Cao and then presented the pair. Cao Cao received them well. He promised his daughter to Yuan Tan to wife, and he appointed the two brothers as advisers. When Yuan Tan asked Cao Cao to attack Jizhou, the reply was: "Supplies are short and difficult to transport. I must turn the waters of River Ji into the White River whereby to convey my grain and afterwards I can advance." Ordering Yuan Tan to remain in Pingyuan, Cao Cao retired into camp at Liyang. The two brothers Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang, who were renegades from Yuan Shang, were now raised to noble rank and followed the army as supernumeraries. Guo Tu noted this advancement and said to Yuan Tan, "He has promised you a daughter to wife. I fear that bodes no good. Now he has given titles of nobility to the two Lus and taken them with him. This is a bait for the northern people, and at the same time he intends evil toward us. You, my lord, should have two generals' seals engraved and send them secretly to the brothers so that you may have friends at court ready for the day when Cao Cao shall have broken your brother's power, and we can begin to work against him." | |
| 15 | 夺冀州袁... : | 谭依言，遂刻将军印二颗，暗送与二吕。二吕受讫，迳将印来禀曹操。操大笑曰：“谭暗送印者，欲汝等为内助，待我破袁尚之后，就中取事耳。汝等权且受之，我自有主张。”自此曹操便有杀谭之心。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
The seals were engraved and sent. As soon as the Lu brothers received them, they informed Cao Cao, who smiled, saying, "He wants your support so he sends you seals as officers. I will consider it as soon as Yuan Shang has been dealt with. In the meantime you may accept the seals till I shall decide what to do." Thenceforward Cao Cao planned Yuan Tan's doom. | |
| 16 | 夺冀州袁... : | 且说袁尚与审配商议：“今曹兵运粮入白沟，必来攻冀州，如之奈何？”配曰：“可发檄使武安长尹楷屯毛城，通上党运粮道；令沮授之子沮鹄守邯郸，遥为声援。主公可进兵平原，急攻袁谭。先绝袁谭，然后破曹。”袁尚大喜，留审配与陈琳守冀州，使马延、张顗二将为先锋，连夜起兵攻打平原。谭知尚兵来近，告急于操。操曰：“吾今番必得冀州矣。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Shen Pei and his master also discussed the current situation. Yuan Shang said, "Cao Cao is getting grain into the White River, which means an attack on Jizhou. What is to be done?" Shen Pei replied, "Send letters to Yin Kai, Commander of Wuan, bidding him camp at Maocheng to secure the road to Shangdang, and direct Ju Gu, son of Ju Shou, to maintain Handan as a distant auxiliary. Then you may advance on Pingyuan and attack Yuan Tan. After he is destroyed, Cao Cao is next." The plan seemed good. Yuan Shang left Shen Pei and Chen Lin in charge of Yejun, appointed two Commanders Ma Yan and Zhang Zi as Van Leaders, and set out hastily for Pingyuan. When Yuan Tan heard of the approach of his brother's army, he sent urgent messages to Cao Cao, who said to himself, "I am going to get Jizhou this time." | |
| 17 | 夺冀州袁... : | 正说间，适许攸自许昌来；闻尚又攻谭，入见操曰：“丞相坐守于此，岂欲待天雷击杀二袁乎？”操笑曰：“吾已料定矣。”遂令曹洪先进兵攻邺，操自引一军来攻尹楷。兵临本境，楷引军来迎。楷出马，操曰：“许仲康安在？”许褚应声而出，纵马直取尹楷。楷措手不及，被许褚一刀斩于马下，馀众奔溃。操尽招降之，即勒兵取邯郸。沮鹄进兵来迎。张辽出马，与鹄交锋，战不三合，鹄大败，辽从后追赶。两马相离不远，辽急取弓射之，应弦落马。操指挥军马掩杀，众皆奔散。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Just at this time it happened that Xu You came down from the capital. When he heard that Yuan Shang was attacking his brother Yuan Tan, he sought Cao Cao and said, "You, Sir, sit here on guard. Are you waiting till Heaven's thunder shall strike the two Yuans?" "I have thought it all out," said Cao Cao. Then he ordered Cao Hong to go and fight against Yejun, while he led another army against Yin Kai in Maocheng. Yin Kai could make no adequate defense and was killed by Xu Chu. His soldiers ran away and presently joined Cao Cao's army. Next Cao Cao led the army to Handan, and Ju Gu came out to fight him. Zhang Liao advanced to fight with Ju Gu, and after the third encounter Ju Gu was defeated and fled. Zhang Liao went after him, and when their two horses were not far apart, Zhang Liao took his bow and shot. The fleeing warrior fell as the bowstring twanged. Cao Cao completed the rout, and Ju Gu's force was broken up. | |
| 18 | 夺冀州袁... : | 于是操引大军前抵冀州。曹洪已近城下。操令三军绕城筑起土山，又暗掘地道以攻之。审配设守坚固，法令甚严，东门守将冯礼，因酒醉有误巡警，配痛责之。冯礼怀恨，潜地出城降操。操问破城之策，礼曰：“突门内土厚，可掘地道而入。”操便命冯礼引三百壮士，夤夜掘地道而入。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Now Cao Cao led his armies to an attack on Yejun. Cao Hong had arrived before, and a regular siege began. The army encompassed the city and began by throwing up great mounds. They also tunneled subterranean ways. Within the city Shen Pei turned his whole care to the defense and issued the severest commands. The Commander of the East Gate, Feng Li, got intoxicated and failed to keep his watch for which he was severely punished. Feng Li resented this, sneaked out of the city, went over to the besiegers, and told them how the place could be attacked. "The earth within the Pearly Gate is solid enough to be tunneled, and entrance can be effected there," said the traitor. So Feng Li was sent with three hundred men to carry out his plan under cover of darkness. | |
| 19 | 夺冀州袁... : | 却说审配自冯礼出降之后，每夜亲自登城点视军马。当夜在突门阁上，望见城外无灯火。配曰：“冯礼必引兵从地道而入也。”急唤精兵运石击突闸门，门闭，冯礼及三百壮士，皆死于土内。操折了这一场，遂罢地道之计，退军于洹水之上，以候袁尚回兵。袁尚攻平原，闻曹操已破尹楷、沮鹄，大军围困冀州，乃掣兵回救。部将马延曰：“从大路去，曹操必有伏兵；可取小路，从西山出滏水口去劫曹营，必解围也。” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
After Feng Li had deserted to the enemy, Shen Pei went every night to the wall to inspect the soldiers on duty. The night of the sapping he went there as usual and saw that there were no lights outside the city and all was perfectly quiet. So he said to himself, "Feng Li is certain to try to come into the city by an underground road." Whereupon he ordered his troops to bring up stones and pile them on the cover of the tunnel opening. The opening was stopped up and the attacking party perished in the tunnel they had excavated. Cao Cao having failed in this attempt abandoned the scheme of underground attack. He drew off the army to a place above the River Huan to await till Yuan Shang should return to relieve the city. Yuan Shang heard of the defeat of Yin Kai and Ju Gu, and the siege of his own city, and bethought himself of relieving it. One of his commanders, Ma Yan, said, "The high road will surely be ambushed. We must find some other way. We can take a by-road from the West Hills and get through by River Fu, whence we can fall upon Cao Cao's camp." | |
| 20 | 夺冀州袁... : | 尚从其言，自领大军先行，令马延与张顗断后。早有细作去报曹操。操曰：“彼若从大路上来，吾当避之；若从西山小路而来，一战可擒也。吾料袁尚必举火为号，令城中接应。吾可分兵击之。”于是分拨已定。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
The plan was acceptable and Yuan Shang started off with the main body, Ma Yan and Zhang Zi being rear guard. Cao Cao's spies soon found out this move, and when they reported it, he said, "If Yuan Shang comes by the high road, I shall have to keep out of the way; but if by the West Hills' by-road, I can settle him in one battle. And I think he will show a blaze as a signal to the besieged that they may make a sortie. I shall prepare to attack both." So Cao Cao made his preparations. | |
| 21 | 夺冀州袁... : | 却说袁尚出滏水界口，东至阳平，屯军阳平亭，离冀州十七里，一边靠著滏水。尚令军士堆积柴薪乾草，至夜焚烧为号，遣主簿李孚扮作曹军都督，直至城下，大叫：“开门！”审配认得是李孚声音，于入城中，说：“袁尚已陈兵在阳平亭，等候接应；若城中兵出，亦举火为号。”配教城中堆草放火，以通音信。孚曰：“城中无粮，可发老弱残兵并妇人出降；彼必不为备，我即以兵继百姓之后出攻之。”配从其论。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Now Yuan Shang went out by River Fu east toward Yangping, and near this he camped. Thence to Yejun was five miles. River Fu ran beside the camp. He ordered his soldiers to collect firewood and grass ready for the blaze he intended to make at night as his signal. He also sent Li Fu, a civil officer, disguised as an officer of Cao Cao's army, to inform Shen Pei of his intentions. Li Fu reached the city wall safely and called out to the guards to open. Shen Pei recognized his voice and let him in. Thus Shen Pei knew of the arrangements for his relief, and it was agreed that a blaze should be raised within the city so that the sortie could be simultaneous with Yuan Shang's attack. Orders were given to collect inflammables. Then said Li Fu, "As your food supply is short, it would be well for the old people, the feeble soldiers and the women to surrender. This will come upon them as a surprise, and we will send the soldiers out behind them." Shen Pei promised to do all this. | |
| 22 | 夺冀州袁... : | 次日，城上竖起白旗，上写“冀州百姓投降”。操曰：“此是城中无粮，教老弱百姓投降；后必有兵出也。”操教张辽、徐晃各引三千军马，伏于两边。操自乘马，张麾盖至城下。果见城门开处，百姓扶老携幼，手持白旗而出。百姓才出尽，城中兵突出。操教将红旗一招，张辽、徐晃两路兵齐出乱杀，城中兵只得复回。操自飞马赶来，到吊桥边，城中弩箭如雨，射中操盔，险透其顶。众将急救回阵。操更衣换马，引众将来攻尚寨，尚自迎敌。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Next day they hoisted on the wall a white flag with the words The populace of Jizhou surrender! on it. "Ho ho! This means no food," said Cao Cao. "They are sending away the non-combatants to escape feeding them. And the soldiers will follow behind them." Cao Cao bade Zhang Liao and Xu Huang laid an ambush of three thousand troops on both sides while he went near the wall in full state. Presently the gates were opened and out came the people supporting their aged folks and leading their little ones by the hand. Each carried a white flag. As soon as the people had passed the gate, the soldiers followed with a rush. Then Cao Cao showed a red flag, and the ambushing soldiers led by Zhang Liao and Xu Huang fell upon the sortie. The troops tried to return and Cao Cao's force made a direct attack. The chase continued to the drawbridge, but there Cao Cao's force met with a tremendous shower of arrows and crossbow bolts which checked the advance. Cao Cao's helmet was struck and the crest carried away. His leaders came to pull him back, and the army retired. As soon as Cao Cao had changed his dress and mounted a fresh horse, he set out at the head of the army to attack Yuan Shang's camp. Yuan Shang led the defense. | |
| 23 | 夺冀州袁... : | 时各路军马一齐杀至，两军混战，袁尚大败。尚引兵退往西山下寨，令人催取马延、张顗军来。不知曹操已使吕旷、吕翔去招安二将。二将随二吕来降，操亦封为列侯。即日进兵攻打西山，先使二吕、马延、张顗截断袁尚粮道。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: | The attack came simultaneously from many directions. The defenders were quite disorganized and presently defeated. Yuan Shang led his troops back by the West Hills and made a camp under their shelter. Thence he sent messengers to urge Ma Yan and Zhang Zi to bring up the supports. He did not know that Cao Cao had sent Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang to persuade these two into surrender and that they had already passed under Cao Cao's banner, and he had conferred upon them the title of lordship. Just before going to attack the West Hills, Cao Cao sent Lu Xiang, Lu Kuang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Zi to seize the source of Yuan Shang's supplies. | |
| 24 | 夺冀州袁... : | 尚情知西山守不住，夜走溢口。安营未定，四下火光并起，伏兵齐出，人不及甲，马不及鞍。尚军大溃，退走五十里，势穷力极，只得遣豫州刺史阴夔至操营请降。操佯许之，却连夜使张辽、徐晃去劫寨。尚尽弃印绶节钺，衣甲辎重，望中山而逃。操回军攻冀州。许攸献计曰：“何不决漳河之水以渰之？” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Yuan Shang had realized he could not hold the hills, so he went by night to Lankou. Before he could get camped, he saw flaring lights springing up all around him and soon an attack began. He was taken aback and had to oppose the enemy with his men half armed, his steeds unsaddled. His army suffered, and he had to retreat another fifteen miles. By that time his force was too enfeebled to show any resistance, and as no other course was possible, he sent the Imperial Protector of Yuzhou, Yin Ku, to Cao Cao's camp and ask that he might surrender. Cao Cao feigned to consent, but that night he sent Zhang Liao and Xu Huang to raid Yuan Shang's camp. Then it became flight, abandoning everything, seals, emblems of office, and even personal clothing. Yuan Shang made for the Zhongshan Mountains. Then Cao Cao came to attack Jizhou City, and to help out this Xu You suggested drowning the city by turning the course of the River Zhang. | |
| 25 | 夺冀州袁... : | 操然其计，先差军于城外掘河堑，周围四十里。审配在城上见操军在城外掘堑，却掘得甚浅。配暗笑曰：“此欲决漳河之水以灌城耳。河深可灌，如此之浅，有何用哉？”遂不为备。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Cao Cao adopted the suggestion and at once sent a small number of men to dig a channel to lead the water to the city. All told, it was seventeen miles. Shen Pei saw the diggers from the city wall and noticed that they made only a shallow channel. He chuckled, saying to himself, "What is the use of such a channel to drown out the city from a deep river?" So he made no preparations to keep out the water. | |
| 26 | 夺冀州袁... : | 当夜曹操添十倍军士并力发掘，比及天明，广深二丈，引漳水灌入城中，水深数尺。更兼粮绝，军士皆饿死。辛毗在城外，用枪挑袁尚印绶衣服，招安城内之人。审配大怒，将辛毗家属老小八十馀口，就于城上斩之，将头掷下。辛毗号哭不已。审配之侄审荣，素与辛毗相厚；见辛毗家属被害，心中怀恨，乃密写献门之书，拴于箭上，射下城来。军士拾献辛毗，毗将书献操。操先下令：如入冀州，休得杀害袁氏一门老小；军民降者免死。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
But as soon as night came on, Cao Cao increased his army of diggers tenfold and by daylight the channel was deepened to twenty spans and the water was flowing in a great stream into the city where it already stood some spans deep. So this misfortune was added to the lack of food. Xin Pi now displayed the captured seal and garments of Yuan Shang hung out on spears, to the great shame of their late owner, and called upon the people of the city to surrender. This angered Shen Pei, who avenged the insult by putting to death on the city wall the whole of the Xin family who were within the city. There were eighty of them, and their severed heads were cast down from the walls. Xin Pi wept exceedingly. Shen Pei's nephew Shen Rong, one of the gate wardens, was a dear friend of Xin Pi, and the murder of Xin Pi's family greatly distressed him. He wrote a secret letter offering to betray the city and tied it to an arrow, which he shot out among the besiegers. The soldiers found it, gave it to Xin Pi who took it to his chief. Cao Cao issued an order: "The family of the Yuans should be spared when the city should be taken and that no one who surrendered should be put to death." | |
| 27 | 夺冀州袁... : | 次日天明，审荣大开西门，放曹兵入。辛毗跃马先入，军将随后杀入冀州。审配在东南城楼上，见操军已入城中，引数骑卜城死战，正迎徐晃交马。徐晃生擒审配，绑出城来，路逢辛毗。毗咬牙切齿，以鞭指配首曰：“贼杀才！今日死矣！”配大骂辛毗：“贼徒！引曹操破我冀州，我恨不杀汝也！” |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
The next day the soldiers entered by the west gate, opened for them by Shen Rong. Xin Pi was the first to prance in on horseback and the army followed. When Shen Pei, who was on the southeast of the city, saw the enemy within the gates, he placed himself at the head of some horsemen and dashed toward them. He was met and captured by Xu Huang who bound him and led him outside the city. On the road they met Xin Pi, who ground his teeth with rage at the murderer of his relatives and then struck the prisoner over the head with his whip, crying, "Murder! Blood drinker! You will meet your death!" Shen Pei retorted, "Traitor! Seller of the city! I am very sorry I was not to have slain you before." | |
| 28 | 夺冀州袁... : | 徐晃解配见操。操曰：“汝知献门接我者乎？”配曰：“不知。”操曰：“此汝侄审荣所献也。”配怒曰：“小儿行乃至于此！”操曰：“昨孤至城下，何城中弩箭之多耶？”配曰：“恨少！恨少！”操曰：“卿忠于袁氏，不容不如此；今肯降吾否？”配曰：“不降！不降！”辛毗哭拜于地曰：“家属八十馀口，尽遭此贼杀害。愿丞相戮之，以雪此恨！”配曰：“吾生为袁氏臣，死为袁氏鬼，不似汝辈谗谄阿谀之贼！可速斩我！”操教牵出。临受刑，叱行刑者曰：“吾主在北，不可使我面南而死！”乃向北跪，引颈就刃。后人有诗叹曰： |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
When the captive was taken into Cao Cao's presence, Cao Cao said, "Do you know who opened the gate to let me in?" "No, I know not." "It was your nephew Shen Rong who gave up the gate," said Cao Cao. "He was always unprincipled, and it has come to this!" said Shen Pei. "The other day when I approached the city, why did you shoot so hard at me?" "I am sorry we shot too little." "As a faithful adherent of the Yuans, you could do no otherwise. Now will you come over to me?" "Never; I will never surrender." Xin Pi threw himself on the ground with lamentations, saying, "Eighty of my people murdered by this ruffian. I pray you slay him, O Prime Minister!" "Alive, I have served the Yuans;" said Shen Pei, "dead, I will be their ghost! I am no flattering time-server as you are. Kill me!" Cao Cao gave the order. They led him away to put him to death. On the execution ground he said to the executioners, "My lord is in the north, I pray you not to make me face the south." So Shen Pei knelt facing the north and extended his neck for the fatal stroke. | |
| 河北多名士，谁如审正南？命因昏主丧，心与古人参。忠直言无隐，廉能志不贪。临亡犹北面，降者尽羞惭。 | ||
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Who of all the official throng In the North was true like Shen Pei? Sad his fate! He served a fool, But faithful, as the ancient humans. Straight and true was every word, Never from the road he swerved. Faithful unto death, he died Gazing toward the lord he'd served. | ||
| 29 | 夺冀州袁... : | 审配既死，操怜其忠义，命葬于城北。众将请曹操入城。操方欲起行，只见刀斧手拥一人至，操视之，乃陈琳也。操谓之曰：“汝前为本初作檄，但罪状孤，可也；何乃辱及祖、父耶？”琳答曰：“箭在弦上，不得不发耳。”左右劝操杀之；操怜其才，乃赦之，命为从事。 |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Thus died Shen Pei and from respect for his character Cao Cao ordered that he be buried honorably on the north of the city. The Prime Minister then entered the city of Yejun. As he was starting, he saw the executioners hurrying forward a prisoner who proved to be Chen Lin. "You wrote that manifesto for Yuan Shao. If you had only directed your diatribe against me, it would not have mattered. But why did you shame my forefathers?" said Cao Cao. "When the arrow is on the string, it must fly," replied Chen Lin. Those about Cao Cao urged him to put Chen Lin to death, but he was spared on account of his genius and given a civil post. | |
| 30 | 夺冀州袁... : | 却说操长子曹丕，字子桓，时年十八岁。丕初生时，有云气一片，其色青紫，圆如车盖，覆于其室，终日不散。有望气者，密谓操曰：“此天子气也。令嗣贵不可言。”丕八岁能属文，有逸才，博古通今，善骑射，好击剑。时操破冀州，丕随父在军中，先领随身军，迳投袁绍家，下马拔剑而入。有一将当之曰：“丞相有命，诸人不许入绍府。”丕叱退，提剑入后堂。见两个妇人相抱而哭，向前欲杀之。正是： |
| Jizhou Taken: Yuan Shang...: |
Now Cao Cao's eldest son was named Cao Pi. At the taking of the cities he was eighteen years of age. When he was born a dark purplish halo hung over the house for a whole day. One who understood the meaning of such manifestations had secretly told Cao Cao that the halo belonged to the imperial class and portended honors which could not be put into words. At eight the lad could compose very skillfully, and he was well read in ancient history. Now he was an adept at all military arts and very fond of fencing. He had gone with his father on the expedition to Jizhou. When Yejun had fallen, he led his escort in the direction of the Yuan family dwelling, and when he reached it, he strode in, sword in hand. When some commander would have stayed him, saying that by order of the Prime Minister no one was to enter the house, Cao Pi bade them begone. The guards fell back and he made his way into the private rooms, where he saw two women weeping in each other's arms. He went forward to slay them. | |
| 四世公侯已成梦，一家骨肉又遭殃。未知性命如何，且看下文分解。 | ||
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Four generations of honors, gone like a dream, Fate follows on ever surely, though slow she seems. The fate of the two women will be told in the next chapter. |
URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch32