| Chinese Text Project | |
| Simplified Chinese version |
《袁绍磐河战公孙，孙坚跨江击刘表 - Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun Zan At The River Pan; Sun Jian Attacks Liu Biao Across The Great River》 |
| 1 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说孙坚被刘表围住，亏得程普，黄盖，韩当，三将死救得脱，折兵大半，夺路引兵回江东。自此孙坚与刘表结怨。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: | At the close of the last chapter Sun Jian was surrounded. However, aided by Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang, he eventually fought his way through, though with the loss of more than half his troops. Sun Jian returned to the South Land, the territories southeast of the Great River. Henceforward Sun Jian and Liu Biao were open enemies. | |
| 2 | 袁绍磐河... : | 且说袁绍屯兵河内，缺少粮草。冀州牧韩馥，遣人送粮以资军用。谋士逢纪说绍曰：“大丈夫纵横天下，何待人送粮为食？冀州乃钱粮广盛之地，将军何不取之？”绍曰：“未有良策。”纪曰：“可暗使人驰书与公孙瓒，令进兵取冀州，约以夹攻，瓒必兴兵。韩馥无谋之辈，必请将军领州事；就中取事，唾手可得。” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Yuan Shao was in Henei. Being short of supplies, he sent to borrow from the Imperial Protector of Jizhou, Han Fu, whence he obtained the wherewithal to support his army. Then one of Yuan Shao's advisers, Peng Ji, said to him, "You are really the strongest power here about. Why then depend upon another for food? Jizhou Region is rich and wide. Why not seize it?" "I have no good plan," replied Yuan Shao. "You could secretly send a letter to Gongsun Zan, asking him to attack, promising him your support. Imperial Protector Han Fu of Jizhou, being incapable, must ask you to take over his region, and you will get it without lifting a finger." | |
| 3 | 袁绍磐河... : | 绍大喜，即发书到瓒处。瓒得书，见说共攻冀州，平分其地，大喜，即日兴兵。绍却使人密报韩馥。馥慌聚荀谌，辛评，二谋士商议。谌曰：“公孙瓒将燕、代之众，长驱而来，其锋不可当。兼有刘备、关、张助之，难以抵敌。今袁本初智勇过人，手下名将极广，将军可请彼同治州事，彼必厚待将军，无患公孙瓒矣。” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
So the letter was sent. When Gongsun Zan saw therein the proposal to make a joint attack and divide the territory, he agreed to give his help. In the meantime Yuan Shao had sent to warn Han Fu of Gongsun Zan's threat. Han Fu sought advice from Counselors Xun Chang and Xin Ping. Xun Chang said, "Governor Gongsun Zan of Beiping is commanding a huge and strong army. If he came to attack us, we could not stand against him, especially if he had the help of Liu Bei and his brothers. At present, Yuan Shao is bolder than most, and he has many able and famous leaders under him. You cannot do better than ask him to assist in administering this region. Yuan Shao will certainly treat you with generosity, and you need have no fear from Gongsun Zan." | |
| 4 | 袁绍磐河... : | 韩馥即差别驾关纯去请袁绍。长史耿武谏曰：“袁绍孤客穷军，仰我鼻息，譬如婴儿在股掌之上，绝其乳哺，立可饿死。奈何欲以州事委之？此引虎入羊群也。”馥曰：“吾乃袁氏之故吏，才能又不如本初。古者择贤者而让之，诸君何嫉妒耶？”耿武叹曰：“冀州休矣！”于是弃职而去者三十馀人。独耿武与关纯伏于城外，以待袁绍。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Han Fu agreed and sent a message to Yuan Shao by the hand of Guan Chun. But Commander Geng Wu remonstrated with his master, saying, "Yuan Shao is a needy man with a hungry army and as dependent on us for existence as an infant in the arms of its mother. Stop the flow of milk and the infant dies. Why should you hand the region over to him? It is nothing less than letting a tiger into the sheepfold!" Han Fu replied, "I am one of the clients of the Yuan family, and I know the abilities of Yuan Shao, which is far better than mine! Why are you all so jealous? The ancients counseled yielding to the sage." Geng Wu sighed, "Jizhou is lost!" When the news got abroad, more than thirty officers of Jizhou left their employment and the city. However, Geng Wu and Guan Chun hid in the suburbs to await the arrival of Yuan Shao. | |
| 5 | 袁绍磐河... : | 数日后，绍引兵至。耿武、关纯拔刀而出，欲刺杀绍。绍将颜良立斩耿武，文丑砍死关纯。绍入冀州，以馥为奋威将军，以田丰，沮授，许攸，逢纪分掌州事，尽夺韩馥之权。馥懊悔无及，遂弃下家小，匹马往投陈留太守张邈去了。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
They had not long to wait. Some days later, Yuan Shao with his soldiers came, and Geng Wu and Guan Chun tried to assassinate him with knives. This attempt failed. Yuan Shao's generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, beheaded Geng Wu and Guan Chun instantly. Thus both of them died, and the object of their hatred entered Jizhou City. Yuan Shao's first act was to confer on Han Fu a high sounding title —-General Who Demonstrates Grand and Vigor Courage in Arms —-, but the administration was entrusted to four of Yuan Shao's confidants —-Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and Peng Ji —-who speedily deprived the Imperial Protector of all power. Full of chagrin, Han Fu soon abandoned all, even his family, and rode alone to take refuge with the Governor of Chenliu, Zhang Miao. | |
| 6 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说公孙瓒知袁绍己据冀州，遣弟公孙越来见绍，欲分其地。绍曰：“可请汝兄自来，吾有商议。”越辞归。行不到五十里，道旁闪出一彪军马，口称：“我乃董丞相家将也！”乱箭射死公孙越。从人逃回见公孙瓒，报越已死。瓒大怒曰：“袁绍诱我起兵攻韩馥，他却就里取事；今又诈董卓兵射死吾弟，此冤如何不报！”尽起本部兵，杀奔冀州来。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Hearing of Yuan Shao's invasion, Gongsun Zan sent his brother, Gongsun Yue, to see the usurper and demand his share of the region. "I want to see your elder brother himself. He and I have things to discuss," said Yuan Shao. Thus Gongsun Yue was sent back. But after traveling some fifteen miles on the homeward road, Gongsun Yue saw a group of soldiers appear. "We are guards of Prime Minister Dong Zhuo!" cried the soldiers. Instantly, Gongsun Yue was killed by a flight of arrows. Those of Gongsun Yue's followers who escaped carried the news to their late master's brother. Gongsun Zan was very angry and said, "Yuan Shao prevailed on me to attack, and now he has taken possession! Also he pretends the murderers of my brother were not his people! Shall I not avenge my brother's injury?" Gongsun Zan brought up all his force to the attack. | |
| 7 | 袁绍磐河... : | 绍知瓒兵至，亦领军出。二军会于磐河之上：绍军于磐河桥东，瓒军于桥西。瓒立马桥上，大呼曰：“背义之徒，何敢卖我！”绍亦策马至桥边，指瓒曰：“韩馥无才，愿让冀州于吾，与尔何干？”瓒曰：“昔日以汝为忠义，推为盟主；今之所为，真狼心狗行之徒，有何面目立于世间！”袁绍大怒曰：“谁可擒之？” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Learning the movement, Yuan Shao sent out his army, and they met at River Pan. They halted on opposite sides of the river, over which was a bridge. Gongsun Zan took his station on the bridge and cried to his enemy, "Renegade, how dared you mislead me?" Yuan Shao rode to the other end of the bridge and, pointing at Gongsun Zan, replied, "Han Fu yielded place to me because he was unequal to the rule! What concern is it of yours?" Gongsun Zan replied, "Formerly you were regarded as loyal and public spirited, and we chose you chief of the confederacy. Now your deeds prove you cruel and base and wolf-hearted in behavior! How can you look the world in the face?" "Who will capture him?" cried Yuan Shao in a rage. | |
| 8 | 袁绍磐河... : | 言未毕，文丑策马挺枪，直杀上桥。公孙瓒就桥边与文丑交锋。战不到十馀合，瓒抵挡不住，败阵而走。文丑乘势追赶。瓒走入阵中，文丑飞马迳入中军，往来冲突。瓒手下健将四员，一齐迎战；被文丑一枪，刺一将下马，三将俱走。文丑直赶公孙瓒出阵后，瓒望山谷而逃。文丑骤马厉声大叫：“快下马受降！”瓒弓箭尽落，头盔堕地；披发纵马，奔转山坡；其马前失，瓒翻身落于坡下。文丑急捻枪来刺。忽见草坡左侧转出一个少年将军，飞马挺枪，直取文丑。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
At once Wen Chou rode out with his spear set. Gongsun Zan rode down the bridge to the enemy's side, where the two engaged. Ten bouts showed Gongsun Zan the terrible power of Wen Chou, and so he drew off. The enemy came on. Gongsun Zan took refuge within his formation, but Wen Chou cut his way in and rode this way and that, slaying right and left. The four best of Gongsun Zan's generals offered joint battle, but one fell under the first stroke of the doughty warrior, and the other three fled. Wen Chou followed, clearing through to the rear of the army. Gongsun Zan made for the mountains. Wen Chou forced his horse to its utmost pace, crying hoarsely, "Down! Dismount and surrender!" Gongsun Zan fled for life. His bow and quiver dropped from his shoulders, his helmet fell off, and his hair streamed straight behind him as he rode in and out between the sloping hills. Then his steed stumbled and he was thrown, rolling over and over to the foot of the slope. Wen Chou was now very near and poising his spear for the thrust. Then suddenly came out from the shelter of a grassy mound on the left a general of youthful mien, but sitting his steed bravely and holding a sturdy spear. He rode directly at Wen Chou. | |
| 9 | 袁绍磐河... : | 公孙瓒爬上坡去，看那少年：生得身长八尺，浓眉大眼，阔面重颐，威风凛凛，与文丑大战五六十合，胜负未分。瓒部下救军到，文丑拨马回去了。那少年也不追赶。瓒忙下土坡，问那少年姓名。那少年欠身答曰：“某乃常山真定人也：姓赵，名云，字子龙；本袁绍辖下之人。因见绍无忠君救民之心，故特弃彼而投麾下不期于此处相见。”瓒大喜，遂同归寨，整顿甲兵。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Gongsun Zan crawled up the slope to look on. The new warrior was of middle height with bushy eyebrows and large eyes, a broad face and a heavy jowl, a youth of commanding presence. The two exchanged some fifty bouts and yet neither had the advantage. Then Gongsun Zan's rescue force came along, and Wen Chou turned and rode away. The warrior did not pursue. Gongsun Zan hurried down the hill and asked the young fellow who he was. He bowed low and replied, "My name is Zhao Zilong from Changshan. I first served Yuan Shao; but when I saw that he was disloyal to his prince and careless of the welfare of the people, I left him and I was on my way to offer service to you. This meeting in this place is most unexpected." Gongsun Zan was very pleased, and the two went together to the camp, where they at once busied themselves with preparations for a new battle. | |
| 10 | 袁绍磐河... : | 次日，瓒将军马分作左右两队，势如羽翼。马五千馀匹，大半皆是白马。因公孙瓒曾与羌人战，尽选白马为先锋，号为“白马将军”；羌人但见白马便走，因此白马极多。袁绍令颜良、文丑为先锋，各引弓弩手一千，亦分作左右两队；令在左者射公孙瓒右军，在右者射公孙瓒左军。再令麴义引八百弓手，步兵一万五千，列于阵中。袁绍自引马步军数万，于后接应。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Next day Gongsun Zan prepared for fight by dividing his army into two wings. He had five thousand cavalry in the center, all mounted on white horses. Gongsun Zan had formerly seen service against the northern frontier tribes, the Qiang Peoples, where he always placed his white horses in the van of his army, and thus he had won the sobriquet of General Who Commands White Horses. The tribes held him so much in fear that they always fled as soon as the white horses, their sacred creatures, appeared. On Yuan Shao's side Yan Liang and Wen Chou were Leaders of the Van. Each had one thousand of archers and crossbowmen. They were set out half on either side, those on the left to shoot at Gongsun Zan's right and those on the right to shoot at his left. In the center was Qu Yi with eight hundred bowmen and ten thousand of foot and horse. Yuan Shao took command of the reserve force in the rear. | |
| 11 | 袁绍磐河... : | 公孙瓒初得赵云，不知心腹，令其另领一军在后。遣大将严纲为先锋。瓒自领中军，立马桥上，傍竖大红圈金线“帅”字旗于马前。从辰时擂鼓，直至巳时，绍军不进。麴义令弓手皆伏于遮箭下，只听炮响发箭。严纲鼓噪呐喊，直取麴义，义军见严纲兵来，都伏而不动；直到来得至近，一声炮响，八百弓弩手一齐俱发。纲急得回，被麴义拍马舞刀，斩于马下，瓒军大败。左右两军，欲来救应，被被颜良、文丑引弓弩手射住。绍军并进，直杀到界桥边麴义马到，先斩执旗将，把绣旗砍倒。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
In this fight Gongsun Zan employed his new adherent Zhao Zilong for the first time and, as Gongsun Zan did not feel assured of Zhao Zilong's good faith, put him in command of a company at the rear. The Van Leader was Yan Guang, and Gongsun Zan himself commanded the center. He took his place on horseback on the bridge beside an enormous red standard on which was displayed the words Commanding General in gold embroidery. From sunrise to noon the drums rolled for the attack, but Yuan Shao's army made no move. Qu Yi made his bowmen hide under their shields. They heard the roar of explosions, the whistling of arrows, and the rattle of the drums, as Yan Guang approached from the other side, but Qu Yi and his men lay closer than ever and never stirred. They waited till Yan Guang had got close on them and then, as the sound of a bomb rent the air, the whole eight hundred men let fly their arrows in a cloud. Yan Guang was quite taken aback and would have retired, but Qu Yi rode furiously toward him, whirled up his sword and cut him down. So Gongsun Zan's army lost that battle. The two wings that should have come to the rescue were kept back by the bowmen under Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Yuan Shao's troops advanced right up to the bridge. Then Qu Yi rode forward, slew the standard bearer, and hacked through the staff of the embroidered banner. | |
| 12 | 袁绍磐河... : | 公孙瓒见砍倒绣旗，回马下桥而走。麴义引军直冲到后军，正撞著赵云，挺枪跃马，直取麴义。战不数合，一枪刺麴义于马下。赵云一骑马飞入绍军，左冲右突，如入无人之境。公孙瓒引军杀回，绍军大败。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: | Seeing this, Gongsun Zan turned his steed and galloped away. Qu Yi followed. But just as he caught up the fugitive, there came prancing forth Zhao Zilong, who rode directly at him with spear ready to strike. After a few bouts Qu Yi was laid in the dust. Then Zhao Zilong attacked the soldiers and turned the tide. Plunging forward on this side, dashing in on that, he went through as if there were no antagonists and, seeing this, Gongsun Zan turned and came again into the fight. The final victory was on his side. | |
| 13 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说袁绍先使探马看时，回报麴义斩将搴旗，追赶败兵；因此不作准备，与田丰引著帐下持戟军士数百人，弓箭手数十骑，乘马出观，呵呵大笑曰：“公孙瓒无能之辈！” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
From the scouts sent to find out how the battle went, Yuan Shao heard the good news of Qu Yi's success in slaying the standard bearer, capturing the flag, and his pursuit. So Yuan Shao took no further care but rode out with Tian Feng and a few guards to look on at the enemy and enjoy his victory. "Ha ha!" Yuan Shao laughed. "Gongsun Zan is an incapable!" | |
| 14 | 袁绍磐河... : | 正说之间，忽见赵云冲到面前。弓箭手急待射时，云连刺数人，众军皆走。后面瓒军团团围裹上来。田丰慌对绍曰：“主公且于空墙中躲避！”绍以兜鍪扑地，大呼曰：“大丈夫愿临阵斗死，岂可入墙而望活乎！”众军士齐心死战，赵云冲突不入，绍兵大队掩至，颜良亦引军来到，两路并杀。赵云保公孙瓒杀透重围，回到界桥。绍驱兵大进，复赶过桥，落水死者，不计其数。袁绍当先赶来，不到五里，只听得山背后喊声大起，闪出一彪人马，为首三员大将，乃是刘玄德，关云长，张翼德。因在平原探知公孙瓒与袁绍相争，特来助战。当下三匹马，三般兵器，飞奔前来，直取袁绍。绍惊得魂飞天外，手中宝刀坠于马下，忙拨马而逃，众人死救过桥。公孙瓒亦收军归寨。玄德、关、张动问毕，瓒曰：“若非玄德远来救我，几乎狼狈。”教与赵云相见。玄德甚相敬爱，便有不舍之心。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
But even as Yuan Shao spoke, he saw in front the redoubtable Zhao Zilong. His guards hastened to prepare their bows, but before they could shoot, Zhao Zilong was in their midst, and men were falling before him wherever he went. The others fled. Gongsun Zan's army then gathered round and hemmed in Yuan Shao. Tian Feng then said to his master, "Sir, take refuge in this empty building here!" But Yuan Shao dashed his helmet to the ground, crying, "The brave person rather faces death in the battle than seeks safety behind a wall!" This bold speech gave new courage to his soldiers who now fought fiercely and with such success that Zhao Zilong could nowhere force his way in. Yuan Shao was soon reinforced by the arrival of his main body and Yan Liang, and the two armies pressed forward. Zhao Zilong could only just get Gongsun Zan safe out of the press. Then they fought their way back to the bridge. But Yuan Shao's troops still came on and fought their way across the bridge, forcing multitudes of their adversaries into the water, where many were drowned. Yuan Shao was leading in person and his troops still advanced. But not more than two miles, for soon a great shouting was heard behind some hills, whence suddenly burst out a body of troops led by Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. At Pingyuan they had heard of the struggle between their protector and his enemy, Yuan Shao, and had at once set out to help. Now the three riders, each with his peculiar weapon, flew straight at Yuan Shao, who was so frightened that his soul seemed to leave his body and fly beyond the confines of heaven. His sword fell from his hand and he fled for his life. He was chased across the bridge when Gongsun Zan called in his army, and they returned to camp. After the usual greetings Gongsun Zan said, "If you had not come to our help, we should have been in very bad case." Liu Bei and Zhao Zilong were made acquainted with each other, and a warm affection sprang up from the very first so that they were always together. | |
| 15 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说袁绍输了一阵，坚守不出。两军相拒月馀，有人来长安报知董卓。李儒对卓曰：“袁绍与公孙瓒，亦当今豪杰。见在磐河厮杀，宜假天子之诏，差人往和解之。二人感德，必顺太师矣。”卓大喜。次日便使太傅马日磾、太仆赵岐，赍诏前去。二人来至河北，绍出迎于百里之外，再拜奉诏。次日二人至瓒营宣谕，瓒乃遣使致书于绍，互相讲和；二人自回京复命。瓒即日班师，又表荐刘玄德为平原相。玄德与赵云分别，执手垂泪，不忍相离。云叹曰：“某日误认公孙瓒为英雄；今观所为，亦袁绍等辈耳！”玄德曰：“公且屈身事之，相见有日。”洒泪而别。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Yuan Shao had lost that battle, and Gongsun Zan would not risk another. They strengthened their defenses, and the armies lay inactive for over a month. In the meantime news of the fighting had reached Capital Changan, and Dong Zhuo was told. His adviser, Li Ru, went to see his master and said, "The two active leaders of today are Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan, who are at grips at River Pan. Pretend you have an imperial command to make peace between them, and both will support you out of gratitude for your intervention." "Good!" said Dong Zhuo. So he sent Imperial Guardian Ma Midi and Court Administrator Zhao Qi on the mission. When these men were arriving at the North of Yellow River, Yuan Shao sent out to welcome them thirty miles from his headquarters and received the imperial command with the greatest respect. Then the two officers went to Gongsun Zan and made known their errand. Gongsun Zan sent letters to his adversary proposing friendship. The two emissaries returned to report their task accomplished. Gongsun Zan drew off his army. He also sent up a memorial eulogizing Liu Bei, who was raised to the rank of Governor of Pingyuan. The farewell between Liu Bei and Zhao Zilong was affecting. They held each other's hands a long time, their eyes streaming with tears, and could not tear themselves apart. Zhao Zilong said with a sob, "I used to think Gongsun Zan a true hero, but I see now that he is no different from Yuan Shao. They are both alike." "But you are now in his service. We shall surely meet again," said Liu Bei. Both men wept freely as they separated. | |
| 16 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说袁术在南阳，闻袁绍新得冀州，遣使来求马千匹。绍不与，术怒。自此，兄弟不睦。又遣使往荆州，问刘表借粮二十万，表亦不与。术恨之，密遣人遗书于孙坚，使伐刘表。其书略曰：前者刘表截路，乃吾兄本初之谋也。今本初又与表私议欲袭江东。公可速兴兵伐刘表，吾为公取本初，二雠可报。公取荆州，吾取冀州，切勿误也！ |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Now Yuan Shu in Nanyang, hearing that his brother had come into Jizhou, sent to beg a thousand horses. The request was refused and enmity sprang up between the brothers. Yuan Shu also sent to Jingzhou to borrow grain, which Imperial Protector Liu Biao would not send. In his resentment, Yuan Shu wrote to Sun Jian, Governor of Changsha, trying to get him to attack Liu Biao. The letter ran like this: "When Liu Biao stopped you on your way home, it was at the instigation of my brother. Now the same two have planned to fall upon your territories in the South Land, wherefore you should at once strike at Liu Biao. I will capture my brother for you and both resentments will be appeased. You will get Jingzhou, and I shall have Jizhou." | |
| 17 | 袁绍磐河... : | 坚得书曰：“叵耐刘表！昔日断吾归路，今不乘时报恨，更待何时！”聚帐下程普，黄盖，韩当等商议。程普曰：“袁术多诈，未可准信。”坚曰：“吾自欲报雠，岂望袁术之助乎？”便差黄盖先来江边，安排战船，多装军器粮草，大船装载战马，克日兴师。江中细作探知，来报刘表。表大惊，急聚文武将士商议。蒯良曰：“不必忧虑。可令黄祖部领江夏之兵为前驱，主公率荆襄之众为援。孙坚跨江涉湖而来，安能用武乎？”表然之，令黄祖设备，随后便起大军。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
"I cannot bear Liu Biao," said Sun Jian as he finished reading this letter. "He certainly did bar my way home, and I may wait many years for my revenge if I let slip this chance!" He called a council. "You may not trust Yuan Shu. He is very deceitful," said Cheng Pu. "I want revenge on my own part. What care I for his help?" said Sun Jian. He dispatched Huang Gai to prepare a river fleet, arm and provision them. Big warships were to take horses on board. The force soon set out. News of these preparations came to Liu Biao, and he hastily summoned his advisers and commanders. Kuai Liang told him to be free from anxiety, and said, "Put General Huang Zu at the head of the Jiangxia army to make the first attack and you, Sir, support him with the forces from Xiangyang. Let Sun Jian come riding the rivers and straddling the lakes: What strength will he have left after arriving here?" So Liu Biao bade Huang Zu prepare to march, and a great army was assembled. | |
| 18 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说孙坚有四子，皆吴夫人所生：长子名策，字伯符；次子名权，字仲谋；三子名翊，字叔弼；四子名匡，字季佐。吴夫人之妹，即为孙坚次妻，亦生一子一女：子名朗，字早安；女名仁。坚又过房俞氏一子，名韶，字公礼。坚有一弟，名静，字幼台。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: | Here it may be said that Sun Jian had four sons, all the issue of his wife who was of the Wu family. Their names in order were Sun Ce, Sun Quan, Sun Yi, and Sun Kuang. Sun Jian had a second wife who was the sister of his first wife. And the second wife bore him a son and a daughter, the former called Sun Lang, the latter Sun Ren. Sun Jian had also adopted a son from a Yu family and named him Sun Hu. And he had a younger brother named Sun Jing. | |
| 19 | 袁绍磐河... : | 坚临行，静引诸子列拜于马前而谏曰：“今董卓专权，天子懦弱，海内大乱，各霸一方；江东方稍宁，以一小恨而起重兵，非所宜也：愿兄详之。”坚曰：“弟勿多言。吾将纵横天下，有雠岂可不报！”长子孙策曰：“如父亲必欲往，儿愿随行。”坚许之，遂与策登舟，杀奔樊城。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
As Sun Jian was leaving on this expedition, his brother Sun Jing with all his six sons stood in front of his steed and dissuaded him, saying, "Dong Zhuo is the real ruler of the state, for the Emperor is a weakling. The whole country is in rebellion, everyone is scrambling for territory. Our area is comparatively peaceful, and it is wrong to begin a war merely for the sake of a little resentment. I pray you, brother, think before you start." Sun Jian replied, "Brother, say no more. I desire to make my strength felt throughout the empire, and shall I not avenge my injuries?" "Then Father, if you must go, let me accompany you," said the eldest son Sun Ce. This request was granted, and father and son embarked to go to ravage the city of Fankou. | |
| 20 | 袁绍磐河... : | 黄祖伏弓弩手于江边，见船傍岸，乱箭俱发。坚令诸军不可轻动，只伏于船中来往诱之；一连三日，船数十次傍岸。黄祖军只顾放箭，箭已放尽。坚却拔船上所得之箭，约十数万。当日正值顺风，坚令军士一齐放箭。岸上支吾不住，只得退走。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: | Now Huang Zu had placed archers and crossbowmen along the river bank. When the ships approached, a flight of arrows met them. Sun Jian ordered his troops to remain under cover in the ships, which then sailed to and fro, drawing the fire for three days. Several times the ships pretended to land, and this drew showers of arrows from the bank. At last the arrows of the defenders were all shot away and Sun Jian, who collected them, found he had many myriads. Then with a fair wind Sun Jian's troops shot them back to the enemy. Those on the bank were thrown into great disorder and retired. | |
| 21 | 袁绍磐河... : | 坚军登岸，程普，黄盖，分兵两路，直取黄祖营寨。背后韩当驱兵大进。三面夹攻，黄祖大败，弃却樊城，退入邓城。坚令黄盖守住船只，亲自统兵追袭。黄祖引军出迎，布阵于野。坚列成阵势，出马于门旗之下。孙策也全副披挂，挺枪立马于父侧。黄祖引二将出马：一个是江夏张虎，一个是襄阳陈生。黄祖扬鞭大骂：“江东鼠贼，安敢侵犯汉室宗亲境界！”便令张虎搦战。坚阵内韩当出迎。两骑相交，战三十馀合，陈生见张虎力怯，飞马来助。孙策望见，按住手中枪，扯弓搭箭，正射中陈生面门，应弦落马。张虎见陈生坠地，吃了一惊，措手不及，被韩当一刀，削去半个脑袋。程普纵马直来阵前捉黄祖。黄祖弃却头盔、战马，杂于步军内逃命。孙坚掩杀败军，直到汉水，命黄盖将船只进泊汉江。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
The army then landed. Two divisions led by Cheng Pu and Huang Gai set out for Huang Zu's camp along different roads, and between them marched Han Dang. Under this triple attack Huang Zu was worsted. He left Fankou and hastened to Dengcheng. Leaving the ships under the command of Huang Gai, Sun Jian led the pursuing force. Huang Zu came out of his city and drew up for battle in the open country. When Sun Jian had disposed his army, he rode out to the standard. Sun Ce, clad in armor, placed himself beside his father. Huang Zu rode out with two generals —-Zhang Hui from Jiangxia and Chen Sheng from Xiangyang. Flourishing his whip, Huang Zu abused his enemy, "You swarm of rebels from the south! Why do you invade the land of a scion of the ruling house?" Zhang Hui challenged to combat, and Han Dang went out to accept. The two champions fought thirty bouts, and then Chen Sheng, seeing his fellow general becoming exhausted, rode to his aid. Sun Jian saw Chen Sheng coming, laid aside his spear, reached for his bow, and shot an arrow wounding Chen Sheng in the face. He fell from his horse. Panic seized upon Zhang Hui at the fall of his comrade, and he could no longer defend himself. Then Han Dang with a slash of his sword clove Zhang Hui's skull in twain. Both having fallen, Cheng Pu galloped up to make prisoner of Huang Zu, who threw off his helmet, slipped from his steed, and mingled for safety among his troops. Sun Jian led on the attack and drove the enemy to the Han River where he ordered Huang Gai to move the fleet upriver and moor there. | |
| 22 | 袁绍磐河... : | 黄祖聚败军，来见刘表，备言坚势不可当。表慌请蒯良商议。良曰：“目今新败，兵无战心；只可深沟高垒，以避其锋；却潜令人求救于袁绍，此围自可解也。”蔡瑁曰：“子柔之言，直拙计也。兵临城下，将至河边，岂可束手待毙？某虽不才，愿请军出城，以决一战。”刘表许之。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Huang Zu led his defeated troops back and told Liu Biao, saying, "Sun Jian was too strong for my army!" Kuai Liang was called in to advise, and he said, "Our newly defeated soldiers have no heart for fighting now. Therefore we must fortify our position, while we seek help from Yuan Shao. Then we can extricate ourselves." "A stupid move!" said Cai Mao. "The enemy is at the city gates: Shall we fold our hands and wait to be slain? Give me troops and I will go out and fight to the finish!" | |
| 23 | 袁绍磐河... : | 蔡瑁引军万馀，出襄阳城外，于岘山布阵。孙坚将得胜之兵，长驱大进。蔡瑁出马。坚曰：“此人是刘表后妻之兄也，谁与吾擒之？”程普挺铁脊矛出马，与蔡瑁交战。不到数合，蔡瑁败走。坚驱大军，杀得尸横遍野。蔡瑁逃入襄阳。蒯良言瑁不听良策，以致大败，按军法当斩。刘表以新娶其妹，不肯加刑。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
So Cai Mao was placed in command of ten thousand troops and went out to the Xian Hills where he drew up his battle line. Sun Jian led the invaders, now flushed with success. When Cai Mao approached, Sun Jian looked at him and said, "He is brother-in-law to Liu Biao. Who will capture him?" Cheng Pu set his iron-spined lance and rode out. After a few bouts Cai Mao turned and fled. Sun Jian's army rode in and slaughtered till corpses filled the countryside, and Cai Mao rushed back and took refuge in Xiangyang. Kuai Liang said, "Cai Mao ought to be put to death by military law! This defeat was due to his obstinacy." But Liu Biao was unwilling to punish the brother of his newly wedded wife. | |
| 24 | 袁绍磐河... : | 却说孙坚分兵四面，围住襄阳攻打。忽一日，狂风骤起，将中军帅字旗竿吹折。韩当曰：“此非吉兆，可暂班师。”坚曰：“吾屡战屡胜，取襄阳只在旦夕；岂可因风折旗竿，遽尔罢兵！”遂不听韩当之言，攻城愈急。蒯良谓刘表曰：“某夜观天象，见一将星欲坠。以分野度之，当应在孙坚。主公可速致书袁绍，求其相助。” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Sun Jian surrounded Xiangyang and assailed the walls daily. One day a fierce gale sprang up, and the pole bearing his standard was broken. "Very inauspicious!" said Han Dang. "We ought to go back." Sun Jian said, "I have won every battle and the city is on the point of falling. Shall I return because the wind felled a flagstaff?" He flouted the advice and attacked the walls still more vigorously. Within the city the defenders had seen an omen. Kuai Liang told Liu Biao, "Last night I saw that a great star fall into the sky corresponding to Sun Jian's territory. I calculated that it inferred the fall of Sun Jian." Then Kuai Liang advised Liu Biao to seek help from Yuan Shao as quickly as possible. | |
| 25 | 袁绍磐河... : | 刘表写书，问谁敢突围而出。健将吕公，应声愿往。蒯良曰：“汝既敢去，可听吾计，与汝军马五百，多带能射者冲出阵去，即奔岘山。他必引军来赶，汝分一百人上山，寻石子准备；一百人执弓弩伏于林中。但有追兵到时，不可迳走；可盘旋曲折，引到埋伏之处，矢石俱发。若能取胜，放起连珠号炮，城中便出接应。如无追兵，不可放炮，赶程而去。今夜月不甚明，黄昏便可出城。” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
So Liu Biao wrote. Then he asked who would undertake to fight his way through the blockade with the letter. One Lu Gong, a warrior of great strength, offered himself for this service. Kuai Liang said, "If you undertake this service, listen to my advice. You will have five hundred soldiers: Choose good bowmen. Dash through the enemy's formation and make for Xian Hills. You will be pursued; but send a hundred soldiers up the hill to prepare large stones, and place a hundred archers in ambush in the woods. These are not to flee from the pursuers but to beguile them along devious ways round to the place where the boulders have been prepared. There stones will be rolled down and arrows shot. If you succeed, fire off a series of bombs as a signal, and the armies in the city will come out to help. If you are not pursued, get away as fast as possible. Tonight will be suitable as there is very little moon. Start at dusk." | |
| 26 | 袁绍磐河... : | 吕公领了计策，拴束军马。黄昏时分，密开东门，引兵出城。孙坚在帐中，忽闻喊声，急上马引三十馀骑，出营来看。军士报说：“有一彪人马杀将出来，望岘山而去。”坚不会诸将，只引三十馀骑赶来。吕公已于山林丛杂去处，上下埋伏。坚马快，单骑独来，前军不远。坚大叫：“休走！”吕公勒回马来战孙坚。交马只一合，吕公便走，闪入山路去。坚随后赶入，却不见吕公。坚方欲上山，忽然一声锣响，山上石子乱下，林中乱箭齐发。坚身中石箭，脑浆迸流，人马皆死于岘山之内；寿止三十七岁。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
Lu Gong having received these directions, prepared his force to carry them out. As soon as day began to close in, he went quietly out at the east gate. Sun Jian was in his tent when he heard shouting, and a soldier came to report: "There was a group of horsemen going out from the city!" Sun Jian at once mounted and rode out with thirty horsemen to discover the cause. Lu Gong's troops had already hidden themselves in the thick woods. Sun Jian rode ahead of his escort, and soon he found himself alone and close to the enemy. He called out to them to halt. Lu Gong at once turned back and came as if to fight. But they had only exchanged a single pass when Lu Gong again fled, taking the road among the hills. Sun Jian followed but soon lost sight of his foe. Sun Jian turned up the hill. Then the gongs clanged and down the hills fell showers of stones, while from among the trees the arrows flew in clouds. Sun Jian was hit by several arrows and a huge stone crushed in his head. Both he and his steed were killed. Sun Jian was only thirty-seven years old at his death. | |
| 27 | 袁绍磐河... : | 吕公截住三十骑，并皆杀尽，于起连珠号炮。城中黄祖，蒯越，蔡瑁，分头引兵杀出，江东诸军大乱。黄盖听得喊声震天，引水军杀来，正迎著黄祖。战不两合，生擒黄祖。程普保著孙策，急待寻路，正遇吕公。程普纵马向前，战不到数合，一矛刺吕公于马下。两军大战，杀到天明，各自收军。刘表军自入城。孙策回到汉水，方知父亲被乱箭射死，尸首已被刘表军士扛抬入城去了，放声大哭。众军俱号泣。策曰：“父尸在彼，安得回乡！”黄盖曰：“今活捉黄祖在此，得一人入城讲和，将黄祖去换主公尸首。” |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
His escort was overpowered and every man of them slain. Then Lu Gong let off a series of bombs, the sign of success, as agreed. At this signal Huang Zu, Kuai Yue, and Cai Mao led three armies out of the city and fell upon the South Land troops, throwing them into the utmost confusion. When Huang Gai heard the sound of battle, he led up the troops from the ships. He met Huang Zu and took Huang Zu prisoner after a brief fight. Cheng Pu set out to bear the sad news to Sun Ce. While he was seeking a way out, he came across Lu Gong. Cheng Pu at once put his horse at full speed and engaged Lu Gong. After a few bouts Lu Gong went down under a spear thrust. The battle became chaotic and continued till daylight broke, when each drew off his army. Liu Biao withdrew into the city. When Sun Ce returned to the river, he heard that his father had perished in the fight, and his body had been carried within the enemy's walls. He uttered a great cry, and the army joined him with wailing and tears. "How can I return home leaving my father's corpse with them?" cried Sun Ce. Huang Gai said, "We have Huang Zu as our prisoner. Let one enter the city and discuss peace, giving up our prisoner for our lord's body." | |
| 28 | 袁绍磐河... : | 言未毕，军吏桓楷出曰：“某与刘表有旧，愿入城为使。”策许之。桓楷入城见刘表，具说其事。表曰：“文台尸首，吾已用棺木盛贮在此。可速放回黄祖，两家各罢兵，再休侵犯。”桓楷拜谢欲行，阶下蒯良出曰：“不可！不可！吾有一言，令江东诸军片甲不回一一请先斩桓楷，然后用计。”正是：追敌孙坚方殒命，求和桓楷又遭殃。未知桓楷性命如何，且听下文分解。 |
| Yuan Shao Fights Gongsun...: |
He had barely finished speaking when an officer in the army, Huan Ji, offered himself as messenger, saying, "I am an old friend of Liu Biao. I volunteer to take the mission." Sun Ce agreed. So Huan Ji went and peace was discussed. Liu Biao told Huan Ji, saying, "The body is already laid in a coffin and ready to be delivered as soon as Huang Zu returned. Let us both cease fighting and never again invade each other's territories." Huan Ji thanked him and took his leave. But as Huan Ji went down the steps, Kuai Liang suddenly broke in, saying, "No, no! Let me speak and I will see to it that not a single enemy can survive. I pray you first put this man to death and then to employ my means." Pursuing his enemy, Sun Jian dies; On a peaceful mission, Huan Ji is threatened. The fate of the ambassador will be disclosed in a later chapter. |
URN: ctp:sanguo-yanyi/ch7