Translation:Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Chapter 15

by Luo Guanzhong

第十五回

Chapter 15

太史慈酣鬬小霸王　孫伯符大戰嚴白虎

Taishi Ci engages in a fierce battle with the Little Conqueror; Sun Bofu battles White Tiger Yan.

1

　　卻說張飛拔劍要自刎，玄德向前抱住，奪劍擲地曰：「古人云：『兄弟如手足，妻子如衣服。衣服破，尚可縫；手足斷，安可續？』吾三人桃園結義，不求同生，但願同死。今雖失了城池家小，安忍教兄弟中道而亡？況城池本非吾有；家眷雖被陷，呂布必不謀害，尚可設計救之。賢弟一時之誤，何至遽欲捐生耶！」說罷大哭，關、張俱感泣。

Let us now turn to Zhang Fei, who had drawn his straight sword and was about to slit his own throat. Xuande rushed forward and took hold of him. Taking the straight sword and throwing it to the ground, he said, "The people of ancient times had a saying, 'A brother is like one's hands and feet, while a wife is like clothing. Clothing can still be mended when torn; how can one continue, once one's hands and feet have been severed?' The three of us made an oath at the peach garden to not desire that we had been born on the same day, but rather to desire that we die on the same day. Even though I have lost the city and my family today, how can I bear to ask my brother to die while he's still in his prime? In any case, the city was not mine to begin with; even though my family has been captured, I'm confident that Lü Bu will not harm them. We still have time to figure out how to save them. How can you be expected to sacrifice your life over a momentary lapse in judgement!" After he finished, he began to weep. Guan and Zhang were both moved to tears.

2

　　且說袁術知呂布襲了徐州，星夜差人至呂布處，許以糧五萬斛，馬五百匹，金銀一萬兩，綵緞一千疋，使夾攻劉備。布喜，令高順領兵五萬襲玄德之後。玄德聞得此信，乘陰雨撤兵，棄盱眙而走，思欲東取廣陵。比及高順軍來，玄德已去。高順與紀靈相見，就索所許之物。靈曰：「公且回軍，容某見主公計之。」高順乃別紀靈回軍，見呂布具述紀靈語。

Let us now turn to Yuan Shu, who had learned of Lü Bu's attack on Xuzhou. He sent someone to travel night and day to Lü Bu's position with a promise of 50,000 hu of grain,^[1] 500 horses, 10,000 tael of gold and silver,^[2] and 1,000 bolts of five-colored silk if Lü Bu agreed to join forces with him and stage a pincer attack against Liu Bei. Bu was delighted, ordering Gao Shun to lead an army of 50,000 men in an attack on Xuande's rear. When Xuande heard the news, he took advantage of the overcast and rainy conditions to withdraw his forces from Xuyi. From there, he headed east, with a plan to take Guangling. By the time Gao Shun arrived, Xuande had already departed. After meeting with Gao Shun, Ji Ling decided to retain possession of the promised items. Ling said, "Why don't you withdraw and allow me to confer with my lord in order to devise a plan." Gao Shun bid farewell to Ji Ling and withdrew his army. When he next saw Lü Bu, he recounted in detail his meeting with Ji Ling.

3

　　布正在遲疑，忽有袁術書至。書意云：「高順雖來，而劉備未除；且待捉了劉備，那時方以所許之物相送。」布怒罵袁術失信，欲起兵伐之。陳宮曰：「不可。術據壽春，兵多糧廣，不可輕敵。不如請玄德還屯小沛，使為我羽翼。他日令玄德為先鋒，那時先取袁術，後取袁紹，可縱橫天下矣。」布聽其言，令人齎書迎玄德回。

While Bu was pondering his next move, a letter from Yuan Shu arrived. The letter said, "Although Gao Shun came, Liu Bei has not been eliminated. Once Liu Bei is in custody, I will deliver the promised items to you." Bu angrily cursed Yuan Shu for going back on his word, and wanted to raise an army to attack him. Chen Gong said, "You can't do that. Shu holds Shouchun. He has a lot of troops and grain. You shouldn't underestimate him. It would be better to invite Xuande to come back to Xiaopei, and make him your assistant. In the future, you can order Xuande to take the lead in taking on Yuan Shu. After that, you can take on Yuan Shao, and rule over all that is under heaven." Bu followed this advice, and ordered someone to send a letter inviting Xuande to return.

4

　　卻說玄德引兵東取廣陵，被袁術劫寨，折兵大半；回來正遇呂布之使，呈上書札，玄德大喜。關、張曰：「呂布乃無義之人，不可信也。」玄德曰：「彼既以好情待我，奈何疑之？」遂來到徐州。布恐玄德疑惑，先令人送還家眷。甘、糜二夫人見玄德，具說呂布令兵把定宅門，禁諸人不得入；又常使侍妾送物，未嘗有缺。玄德謂關、張曰：「我知呂布必不害我家眷也。」乃入城謝呂布。張飛恨呂布，不肯隨往，先奉二嫂往小沛去了。

Let us now turn to Xuande, who had led his troops to the east in order to take Guangling. After his camp was raided by Yuan Shu, Xuande lost half of his troops. He was on his way back, when he encountered an emissary of Lü Bu, who gave him a letter. Xuande was overjoyed. Guan and Zhang both said, "Lü Bu is not a man of justice. He cannot be trusted." Xuande said, "He has treated me kindly. Why should I be suspicious of him?" With that, he went to Xuzhou. Bu was afraid that Xuande would be suspicious, so he took it upon himself to order Xuande's family to be returned to him. When Lady Gan and Lady Mi were reunited with Xuande, they explained in detail how Lü Bu had assigned soldiers to guard the entrance to their residence, and had not allowed anyone to enter. Also, he had frequently sent female servants to deliver necessary items to them, so that they did not lack anything. Xuande said to Guan and Zhang, "I knew that Lü Bu would not harm my family." He then set out to enter the town, so that he could thank Lü Bu. Zhang Fei hated Lü Bu, and was unwilling to accompany him. Instead, he escorted Xuande's two wives to Xiaopei.

5

　　玄德入見呂布拜謝。呂布曰：「我非欲奪城；因令弟張飛在此恃酒殺人，恐有失事，故來守之耳。」玄德曰：「備欲讓兄久矣。」布假意仍讓玄德。玄德力辭，還屯小沛住劄，關、張心中不平。玄德曰：「屈身守分，以待天時，不可與命爭也。」呂布令人送糧米緞疋。自此兩家和好，不在話下。

Xuande went to see Lü Bu in order to thank him. Lü Bu said, "I did not want to take the city; Zhang Fei was getting drunk and killing people. I was afraid things would get out of hand. That's why I took charge." Xuande said, "I've wanted to yield the city to you for a while now." Bu feigned modesty, and tried to yield to Xuande. However, Xuande was insistent, and returned to Xiaopei, where he stationed his men. Guan and Zhang were uneasy. Xuande said, "We must humble ourselves and not overreach. Our time will come eventually. You can't force fate." Lü Bu sent people with grain and satin. It goes without saying that the two were reconciled after this.

6

　　卻說袁術大宴將士於壽春。人報孫策征廬江太守陸康，得勝而回。術喚策至，策拜於堂下。問勞已畢，便令侍坐飲宴。原來孫策自父喪之後，退居江南，禮賢下士；後因陶謙與策母舅丹陽太守吳璟不和，策乃移母并家屬居於曲阿，自己卻投袁術。術甚愛之，常嘆曰：「使術有子如孫郎，死復何恨！」因使為懷義校尉，引兵攻涇縣，太師祖郎得勝。術見策勇，復使攻陸康。今又得勝而回。

Let us now turn to Yuan Shu, who had thrown a banquet in Shouchun for his men. He had received a report that Sun Ce was returning, after having defeated Lu Kang, governor of Lujiang. Shu summoned Ce, and Ce came to pay his respects. After the exchange of pleasantries, a banquet was arranged. It turns out that after Sun Ce's father died, he withdrew to Jiangnan, and developed a reputation for showing respect to men of talent, while not condescending to men of average abilities. Later, because Tao Qian did not get along with his uncle Wu Jing, who was governor of Danyang, Ce made arrangements for his mother and family to be moved to Qu'e. Ce himself offered his services to Yuan Shu. Shu was quite fond of him, and wistfully said, "If I but had a son such as Sun Lang, I could die without regret!" As a result, he made him Captain and Upholder of Justice. Ce led an army in an attack on Jing County, defeating Grand Preceptor Zu Lang. When Shu saw how brave Ce was, he again sent him out to attack Lu Kang. Ce had now returned from that victory.

7

　　當日筵散，策歸營寨。見術席間相待之禮甚傲，心中鬱悶，乃步月於中庭。因思父孫堅如此英雄，我今淪落至此，不覺放聲大哭。忽見一人自外而入，大笑曰：「伯符何故如此？尊父在日，多曾用我。君若有不決之事，何不問我，乃自哭耶？」策視之，乃丹陽故漳人；姓朱，名治，字君理；孫堅舊從事官也。策收淚而延之坐曰：「策所哭者，恨不能繼父之志耳。」治曰：「君何不告袁公路，借兵往江東，假名救吳璟，實圖大業，而乃久困於人之下乎？」

After the banquet broke up that day, Ce returned to his camp. Having seen how courteously Shu had treated him at the banquet, he became depressed, and started to pace back and forth in the moonlight in the inner courtyard. He could not understand how he had fallen to such depths in light of the heroism displayed by his late father Sun Jian. Without realizing it, Ce began to cry. Suddenly, he saw someone come in from the outside. Smiling, the man said, "What is the matter? When your father was alive, he often sought me out for advice. If something is bothering you, why not ask me for help, rather than bursting into tears?" Ce looked at him. He was from Guzhang, in Danyang. His surname was Zhu, his given name was Zhi, and his style name was Junli. He had formerly been an aide to Sun Jian. Ce wiped away his tears, and invited him to sit, saying, "The reason I'm crying is that I am sad that I am unable to realize the ambitions of my late father." Zhi said, "Why don't you ask Yuan Gonglu to loan you some soldiers so that you can proceed to Jiangdong, under the pretext of rescuing Wu Jing. By doing that, you could accomplish great things, rather than remaining under the thumb of somebody else.

8

　　正商議間，一人忽入曰：「公等所謀，吾已知之。吾手下有精壯百人，暫助伯符一臂之力。」策視其人。乃袁術謀士，汝南細陽人；姓呂，名範，字子衡。策大喜，延坐共議。呂範曰：「只恐袁公路不肯借兵。」策曰：「吾有亡父留下傳國玉璽，以為質當。」範曰：「公路欲得此久矣；以此相質，必肯發兵。」

While they were discussing the matter, someone suddenly came in and said, "I already know what you two have been plotting. I have, serving underneath me, one hundred able-bodied men. They could provide assistance to you for a short time." Ce looked at him. It was Yuan Shu's strategist. He was from Xiyang in Ru'nan. His surname was Lü, his given name was Fan, and his style name was Ziheng. Ce was overjoyed, and bid him to sit down to talk things over. Lü Fan said, "My only fear is that Yuan Gonglu will be unwilling to loan out his soldiers to you." Ce said, "I have the Heirloom Seal of the Realm that was left to me by my late father. I could use that as collateral." Fan said, "Gonglu has wanted that item for a long time; if you use that as collateral, I'm certain that he will be willing to give you soldiers."

9

　　三人計議已定。次日，策入見袁術，哭拜曰：「父讎不能報 ；今母舅吳璟，又為揚州刺史劉繇所逼；策老母家小，皆在曲阿，必將被害；策敢借雄兵數千，渡江救難省親。恐明公不信，有亡父遺下玉璽，權為質當。」術聞有玉璽，取而視之，大喜曰：「吾非要你玉璽，今且權留在此。我借兵三千，馬五百匹與你。平定之後，可速回來。你職位卑微，難掌大權。我表你為折衝校尉殄寇將軍，剋日領兵便行。」

With that, the three had settled on a plan. The next day, when Ce met with Yuan Shu, he lamented, "I am unable to avenge my late father. Not only that, but my uncle Wu Jing is being bullied by Liu Yao, governor of Yangzhou. My mother's family is small. They are all in Qu'e. They are sure to come to harm. I would like to borrow several thousand brave soldiers, and cross the river, so that I may see my relatives and save them. However, I'm afraid you might not trust me. I have the royal jade seal, left to me by my father. I could offer it to you as collateral." When Shu heard that he had the royal seal, he took it in his hands to look at it, and became overjoyed, saying, "I don't want your royal seal. I will allow you to leave it here. I will loan you three thousand soldiers and 500 horses. As soon as you have pacified the area, you can return. Your position is too low to command authority. I will make you captain of war chariots and general in charge of annihilating bandits. You may set the date to depart with your troops."

10

　　策拜謝，遂引軍馬，帶領朱治、呂範，舊將程普、黃蓋、韓當等，擇日起兵。行至歷陽，見一軍到。當先一人，姿質風流，儀容秀麗；見了孫策，下馬便拜。策視其人，乃廬江舒城人；姓周，名瑜，字公瑾。原來孫堅討董卓之時，移家舒城，瑜與孫策同年，交情甚密，因結為昆仲。策長瑜兩月，瑜以兄事策。瑜叔周尚，為丹陽太守，今往省親，到此與策相遇。

Zhou Yu

Sun Ce thanked him, and took charge of his troops. Under his command were Zhu Zhi and Lü Fan, as well as old generals like Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang. He set a date for departure. When they came to Liyang, they saw that another army had already arrived. In front of this army was a man who was quite dashing in appearance. When he saw Sun Ce, he dismounted and gave him a salute. It was a man from Shucheng, Lujiang. His surname was Zhou, his given name was Yu, and his style name was Gongjin. As it turns out, when Sun Jian was fighting Dong Zhuo, he had moved his family to Shucheng. Yu and Sun Ce were the same age, and became close friends, almost like brothers. Ce was two months older than Yu, so Yu thought of Ce as his older brother. Yu's uncle Zhou Shang was the governor of Danyang. Yu was on his way to visit him, when he ran into Ce.

11

　　策見瑜大喜，訴以衷情。瑜曰：「某願效犬馬之力，共圖大事。」策喜曰：「吾得公瑾，大事諧矣。」便令與朱治、呂範等相見。瑜謂策曰：「吾兄欲濟大事，亦知江東有二張乎？」策曰：「何為『二張』？」瑜曰：「一人乃彭城張昭，字子布；一人乃廣陵張紘，字子綱。二人皆有經天緯地之才，因避亂隱居於此。吾兄何不聘之？」

Zhang Zhao

When Ce saw Yu, he was overjoyed, and shared with him his ambitions. Yu said, "I am willing to do my humble best to work with you to accomplish these great things." Ce was pleased, and said, "With your help, nothing will be too difficult to achieve." He then ordered him to meet with Zhu Zhi and Lü Fan. Yu said to Ce, "Since you want to accomplish great things, do you know about the two Zhangs of Jiangdong?" Ce said, "Who are the 'two Zhangs'?" Yu said, "One is Zhang Zhao of Pengcheng, whose style name is Zibu. The other is Zhang Hong of Guangling, whose style name is Zigang. Both of them have a talent for managing affairs of state. In order to avoid all of the fighting, they both came here to live in seclusion. Why don't you hire them?"

12

　　策喜，即便令人齎禮往聘，俱辭不至。策乃親到其家，與語大悅，力聘之。二人許允，策遂拜張昭為長史，兼撫軍中郎將；張紘為參謀正議校尉；商議攻擊劉繇。

Ce was pleased, and ordered someone to send an offer of employment to both of them, but both declined the offer. Ce went to their homes and spoke to them enthusiastically about the offer. He would not take no for an answer. Both of them eventually accepted the offer. Ce made Zhang Zhao his chief secretary, as well as commander of the palace guards. He made Zhang Hong captain of justice. He discussed his plans to attack Liu Yao with them.

13

　　卻說劉繇字正禮，東萊牟平人也，亦是漢室宗親，太尉劉寵之姪，兗州刺史劉岱之弟；舊為揚州刺史，屯於壽春，被袁術趕過江東，故來曲阿。當下聞孫策兵至，急聚眾將商議。部將張英曰：「某領一軍屯於牛渚，縱有百萬之兵，亦不能近。」言未畢，帳下一人高叫曰：「某願為前部先鋒。」眾視之，乃東萊黃縣人太史慈也。慈自解了北海之圍，後便來見劉繇，繇留於帳下。當日聽得孫策來到，願為前部先鋒。繇曰：「你年尚輕，未可為大將，只在吾左右聽命。」太史慈不喜而退。

Let us now turn to Liu Yao, whose style name was Zhengli.^[3] He was from Muping, Donglai Commandery, and also was a descendent of the House of Han. He was a nephew of Grand Marshal Liu Chong, and the younger brother of Yanzhou governor Liu Dai. He had formerly served as governor of Yangzhou, and had been based in Shouchun. However, he had been driven across the Yangtze River by Yuan Shu, and ended up in Qu'e. When he heard that Sun Ce had arrived, he hastily gathered his generals to discuss the matter. General Zhang Ying said, "I will station an army at Niuzhu. Even if he has a million soldiers, he won't be able to get close to you." Before he could finish speaking, a subordinate yelled out, "I volunteer to take the lead." Everyone looked at him. It was Taishi Ci from Huang County. After Ci broke through the enemy lines at Beihai, he made his way to Liu Yao, who retained him as a subordinate. As soon as he heard that Sun Ce had arrived, he volunteered to be in the vanguard. Yao said, "You are still young. You're not yet ready to be a general. Stay by my side and await further orders." Taishi Ci left in a huff.

14

　　張英領兵至牛渚，積糧十萬於邸閣。孫策引兵到，張英出迎，兩軍會於牛渚灘上。孫策出馬，張英大罵，黃蓋便出與張英戰。不數合，忽然張英軍中大亂，報說寨中有人放火。張英急回軍，孫策引軍前來，乘勢掩殺。張英棄了牛渚，望深山而逃。

Zhang Ying led his troops to Niuzhu, and stored up 100,000 worth of rations in the granary. Sun Ce brought his own army there, and Zhang Ying came out to meet him. The two armies met on the banks of the nearby river. When Sun Ce rode out on his horse, Zhang Ying loudly cursed him. Huang Gai then went out to engage Zhang Ying in battle. After not more than a few rounds, chaos broke out amongst Zhang Ying's men. Someone reported that his camp had caught fire. Zhang Ying hastily withdrew his army. Sun Ce took advantage of the situation, and followed after him, slaughtering a number of his men. Zhang Ying abandoned Niuzhu, and escaped into the remote mountains.

15

　　原來那寨後放火的，乃是兩員健將：一人乃九江壽春人，姓蔣，名欽，字公奕；一人乃九江下蔡人，姓周，名泰，字幼平。二人皆遭世亂，聚人在揚子江中，劫掠為生；久聞孫策為江東豪傑，能招賢納士，故特引其黨三百餘人，前來相投。策大喜，用為車前校尉，收得牛渚邸閣糧食軍器，并降卒四千餘人，遂進兵神亭。

Zhou Tai

As it turned out, the ones who had set the fire behind the camp were none other than two tough generals, one of whom had the surname Jiang, the given name Qin, the style name Gongyi, and was from Shouchun, Jiujiang. The other had the surname Zhou, the given name Tai, the style name Youping, and was from Xiacai, Jiujiang. After their world had descended into chaos, they relocated to the area near the Yangtze River, making their living as bandits. They had long been aware of Sun Ce's exploits to the south of the Yangtze River, and that Ce had a gift for attracting men of talent. As a result, they gathered more than three hundred of their men, and set out to join forces with Ce. Ce was overjoyed, and used them as captains in the vanguard of the chariots. They were able to seize hold of the granary and weapons of Niuzhu, and forced the surrender of more than 4,000 foot soldiers. After that, they marched their troops to Shenting.

16

　　卻說張英敗回見劉繇，繇怒欲斬之。謀士笮融、薛禮勸免，使屯兵零陵城拒敵。劉繇自領兵於神亭嶺南下營，孫策於嶺北下營，策問土人曰：「近山有漢光武廟否？」土人曰：「有廟在嶺上。」策曰：「吾夜夢光武召我相見，當往祈之。」長史張昭曰：「不可。嶺南乃劉繇寨，倘有伏兵，奈何？」策曰：「神人佑我，吾何懼焉？」遂披挂綽槍上馬，引程普、黃蓋、韓當、蔣欽、周泰等共十三騎，出寨上嶺，到廟焚香。下馬參拜已畢，策向前跪祝曰：「若孫策能於江東立業，復興故父之基，即當重修廟宇，四時祭祀。」

Let us now turn to Zhang Ying, who had returned in defeat to Liu Yao. Yao was angry, and wanted to have him beheaded. His strategists Ze Rong and Xue Li advised him against it, so he instead was made to station his defeated army at Lingling, in order to defend against the enemy. Liu Yao personally led a force of men to the south ridge at Shenting, where he pitched camp. Sun Ce pitched camp to the north of the ridge. Ce asked the locals, "Is there a temple dedicated to Emperor Guangwu of Han in these mountains?" The locals said, "There is a temple up on the ridge." Ce said, "Last night, I dreamed that Guangwu invited me to meet with him. I must go and pray to him." His chief secretary Zhang Zhao said, "You can't. Liu Yao's camp is to the south of the ridge. If there are soldiers waiting for you in ambush, what then?" Ce said, "If the gods are protecting me, why should I be afraid?" He then donned his armor, took hold of his spear, and mounted his horse. He departed camp, and headed to the top of the ridge, accompanied with thirteen mounted warriors, including Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, and Zhou Tai. When they arrived at the temple, they burned incense. After dismounting from his horse and paying his respects, Ce stepped forward and kneeled down, saying, "If I can establish myself to the east of the river, and reestablish my late father's legacy, I vow to fix up this old temple, and offer sacrifices year-round."

17

　　祝畢，出廟上馬，回顧眾將曰：「吾欲過嶺，探看劉繇寨柵。」諸將皆以為不可。策不從，遂同上嶺。南望村林，早有伏路小軍，飛報劉繇。繇曰：「此必是孫策誘敵之計，不可追之。」太史慈踴躍曰：「此時不捉孫策，更待何時？」遂不候劉繇將令，竟自披挂上馬，綽槍出營，大叫曰：「有膽氣者，都跟我來！」諸將不動。惟有一小將曰：「太史慈真猛將也！吾可助之！」拍馬同行。眾將皆笑。

After he finished praying, he exited the temple and mounted his horse. Looking back at his generals, he said, "I am going to pass over the ridge to get a look at the fence surrounding Liu Yao's camp." None of his generals thought he should do it. Ce disregarded their opinions, and went up on the ridge. Looking down at the villages and wooded areas along the southern side, one could see a small number of troops who were hiding there running back to report to Liu Yao. Yao said, "This must be a ploy by Sun Ce to lure me into his trap. We must not take the bait." Taishi Ci jumped up and said, "If we don't capture Sun Ce now, when will we ever get another opportunity?" With that, he did not wait for Liu Yao's orders, but took it upon himself to don his armor and mount his horse. As he was exiting the camp with his spear in his hands, he shouted, "If there is anyone among you who is brave, follow me now!" None of the generals moved. Only one minor general said, "Taishi Ci is truly a fierce general! I will help him!" He rode off on his horse with Ci, as the other generals laughed.

18

　　卻說孫策看了半晌，方始回馬。正行過嶺，只聽得嶺上叫「孫策休走！」策回頭視之，見兩匹馬飛下嶺來。策將十三騎一齊擺開。策橫槍立馬於嶺下待之。太史慈高叫曰：「那個是孫策？」策曰：「你是何人？」答曰：「我便是東萊太史慈也，特來捉孫策。」策笑曰：「只我便是。你兩個一齊來併我一個，我不懼你！我若怕你，非孫伯符也！」慈曰：「你便眾人都來，我亦不怕！」縱馬橫槍，直取孫策，策挺槍來迎。兩馬相交，戰五十合，不分勝負，程普等暗暗稱奇。

Let us now turn to Sun Ce, who watched for a while longer, then wheeled his horse around. Just as they were crossing over the ridge, they heard a voice from the top of the ridge calling out, "Sun Ce! Stop!" When Ce turned around to look, he saw two horses galloping down from the top of the ridge. Ce dispersed his thirteen mounted warriors, and waited on his horse at the bottom of the ridge, with his spear at the ready. Taishi Ci shrieked, "Which one of you is Sun Ce?" Ce said, "Who are you?" Ci responded, "I am Taishi Ci of Donglai." I have come especially to capture Sun Ce." Ce laughed, and said, "I am he. The two of you have come to capture just me? I'm not scared of you! If I were scared of you, my name would not be Sun Bofu!" Ci said, "If I were accompanied by that many men, I wouldn't be scared either!" He spurred his horse to action, spear at the ready, heading straight toward Sun Ce. Ce raised his spear to intercept the attack. The two horses engaged each other for 50 rounds with no clear victor. Cheng Pu and the others silently watched in amazement.

19

　　慈見孫策槍法無半點兒差漏，乃佯輸詐敗，引孫策趕來。慈卻不由舊路上嶺，竟轉過山背後。策趕到，大喝曰：「走的不算好漢！」慈心中自忖：「這廝有十二從人，我只一個，便活捉了他，也被眾人奪去。再引一程，教這廝沒尋處，方好下手。」於是且戰且走。

After Ci saw that Sun Ce's spear fighting abilities were not lacking, he decided to feign defeat, and make Sun Ce chase after him. However, Ci did not retrace his path to the top of the ridge, but rather circled around to the back of the hill. Ce caught up with him, and yelled, "A true man would not run away!" Ci thought to himself, "This scoundrel has twelve attendants, and I am by myself. Even if I captured him alive, I would be taken captive by the others. My only recourse is to lead him along a bit further, then make my move when he has nowhere to run." With that, he continued to fight and flee simultaneously.

20

　　策那裡肯捨，一直趕到平川之地。慈兜回馬再戰，又戰五十合。策一槍搠去，慈閃過，挾住槍；慈也一槍搠去，策亦閃過，挾住槍。兩個用力只一拖，都滾下馬來。馬不知走到那裡去了。兩個棄了槍，揪住廝打，戰袍扯得粉碎。策手快，掣了太史慈背上的短戟；慈亦掣了策頭上的兜鍪。策把戟來刺慈，慈把兜鍪遮架。

Ce was not about to abandon the chase so easily, and continued his pursuit until they both reached level ground. Ci wheeled his horse about, and once again began to fight. They fought another 50 rounds. Ce thrust with his spear, but Ci moved out of the way, and seized hold of the spear. Ci then thrust with his own spear, but Ce moved out of the way, and seized hold of his opponent's spear. The two of them engaged in such a fierce tug of war, that both tumbled off of their horses. The horses did not know where their riders had gone. Both men let go of the two spears, and began grappling with each other, trading blows whenever they could. The clothes they wore under their armor were in tatters before long. With lightning quick hands, Ce got a hold of one of the short handled polearms on Taishi Ci's back; Ci responded by yanking off Ce's helmet. As Ce stabbed at Ci with the the short handled polearm, Ci deflected the attack with the helmet.

21

　　忽然喊聲後起，乃劉繇接應軍到來，約有千餘。策正慌急，程普等十二騎亦衝到，策與慈方纔放手。慈於軍中討了一匹馬，取了槍，上馬復來。孫策的馬，卻是程普收得，策亦取槍上馬。劉繇一千餘軍，和程普等十二騎混戰，逶迤殺到神亭嶺下。喊聲起處，周瑜領軍來到，劉繇自引大軍殺下嶺來。時近黃昏，風雨暴至，兩下各自收軍。

Suddenly, yelling and shouting could be heard behind them. It was Liu Yao arriving with his troops. There were more than 1,000 of them. Ce was beginning to panic, when Cheng Pu arrived with the other twelve mounted warriors. Ce had only just let go of Ci, when Ci demanded a horse from his side's army. He then grabbed a spear, mounted the horse, and came back again. Sun Ce's horse had been recovered by Cheng Pu. Ce also grabbed a spear, and mounted his own horse. Liu Yao's 1,000 man army began fighting indiscriminately with Cheng Pu and the other mounted warriors. They moved to and fro, battling it out all the way to foot of the peaks at Shenting. Then, there was more yelling and shouting, as Zhou Yu's troops arrived. Liu Yao personally led his troops on a murderous charge down the mountainside. It was getting close to dusk, and the wind and rain started to get more intense. It was then that both sides withdrew their respective armies.

22

　　次日，孫策引軍到劉繇營前，劉繇引軍出迎。兩陣圓處，孫策把槍挑太史慈的小戟於陣前，令軍士大叫曰：「太史慈若不是走的快，已被刺死了！」太史慈亦將孫策兜鍪挑於陣前，也令軍士大叫曰：「孫策頭已在此！」

The following day, Sun Ce led his troops to the camp of Liu Yao. Liu Yao led his own army out to meet them. Once the lines of both sides had formed, Sun Ce, holding his spear in one hand, carried Taishi Ci's polearm with the other out to the front of the line. He then ordered his troops to shout out, "If Taishi Ci had not run away so quickly, he would have been stabbed to death!" Taishi Ci also carried Sun Ce's helmet to the front of the line. He then ordered his troops to shout out, "Here is Sun Ce's head!"

23

　　兩軍吶喊，這邊誇勝，那邊道強。太史慈出馬，要與孫策決個勝負，策遂欲出。程普曰：「不須主公勞力，某自擒之。」程普出到陣前，太史慈曰：「你非我之敵手，只教孫策出馬來！」程普大怒，挺槍直取太史慈。兩馬相交，戰到三十合，劉繇急鳴金收軍。太史慈曰：「我正要捉拿賊將，何故收軍？」劉繇曰：「人報周瑜領軍襲取曲阿，有廬江松滋人陳武，字子烈，接應周瑜入去。吾家基業已失，不可久留。速往秣陵，會薛禮、笮融軍馬，急來接應。」

The two armies cried out, over here boasting of victory, and over there talking up their strength. Taishi Ci rode out on his horse. He wanted to have it out once and for all with Sun Ce. Then, Ce came out. Cheng Pu said, “Your Excellency, no need to bother yourself with this. I’ll personally get him for you.” Cheng Pu went out in front of the ranks. Taishi Ci said, “You’re no match for me. Tell Sun Ce to come out on his horse!” Enraged, Cheng Pu charged straight at Taishi Ci, spear in hand. The two horses met, and they fought 30 rounds, before Liu Yao frantically banged the gongs of retreat. Taishi Ci said, “I was just about to capture the bandit general. Why are you sounding the retreat?” Liu Yao said, “Someone has reported that Zhou Yu is leading an army in an attack on Qu’e. There is a person from Songzi County, Lujiang Commandery, by the name of Chen Wu, whose style name is Zilie. He went out to intercept Zhou Yu. My family already has lost its base of operations, so I can’t stay here for very long. We must quickly make our way to Moling, and rendezvous with the armies of Xue Li and Ze Rong. In that way, we can quickly intercept his advance.”

24

　　太史慈跟著劉繇退軍，孫策不趕，收住人馬。長史張昭曰：「彼軍被周瑜襲取曲阿，無戀戰之心，今夜正好劫營。」孫策然之，當夜分軍五路，長驅大進。劉繇軍兵大敗，眾皆四分五裂。太史慈獨力難當，引十數騎連夜投涇縣去了。

Taishi Ci pulled back his troops and followed Liu Yao. Rather than give chase, Sun Ce instead gathered up his troops. His chief secretary Zhang Zhao said, “Their forces were attacked by Zhou Yu at Qu’e, and they have lost the will to fight. Tonight is the perfect time to raid their camp.” Sun Ce followed the advice. That evening, he divided his troops into five units. Each following a different route, they rapidly advanced over a long distance. Liu Yao’s army suffered a major defeat, and all of them fled in disarray. Taishi Ci was having difficulty carrying on alone, so he made his way throughout the night toward Jing County, accompanied by a dozen or so mounted troops.

25

　　卻說孫策又得陳武為輔。其人身長七尺，面黃睛赤。形容古怪，策甚敬愛之，拜為校尉，使作先鋒，攻薛禮。武引十數騎突入陣去，斬首級五十餘顆。薛禮閉門不敢出。

Let us now turn to Sun Ce, who had acquired Chen Wu as an assistant. This person had an odd appearance, standing at a height of seven chi,^[4] with a yellow face and fiery eyes. Ce was quite fond of him, and made him a captain. Placing him in the vanguard, he mounted an attack against Xue Li. Wu led a dozen or so mounted troops in an attack on the enemy ranks, severing more than 50 heads. Xue Li closed the gates and dared not come out.

26

　　策正攻城，忽有人報劉繇會合笮融去取牛渚。孫策大怒，自提大軍竟奔牛渚。劉繇、笮融二人出馬迎敵。孫策曰：「吾今到此，你如何不降？」劉繇背後一人挺槍出馬，乃部將于糜也；與策戰不三合，被策生擒過去，撥馬回陣。繇將樊能，見捉了于糜，挺槍來趕。那槍剛搠到策後心，策陣上軍士大叫：「背後有人暗算！」策回頭，忽見樊能馬到，乃大喝一聲，聲如巨雷。樊能驚駭，倒翻身撞下馬來，破頭而死。策到門旗下，將于糜丟下，已被挾死。一霎時挾死一將，喝死一將；自此，人皆呼孫策為「小霸王」。

While Ce was attacking the outer walls of the city, someone suddenly reported that Liu Yao had joined with Ze Rong in an attack on Niuzhu. Sun Ce became enraged, and personally led a large army toward Niuzhu. Liu Yao and Ze Rong both rode out on their horse in order to greet the enemy. Sun Ce said, “Now that I’m here, why don’t you surrender?” A person from behind Liu Yao raised his spear and rode out on his horse. It was Yu Mi, one of his junior officers. Yu fought with Ce for no more than three rounds, before he was captured alive by Ce. Ce wheeled his horse around, and headed back toward his lines. When Fan Neng, another one of Liu Yao’s generals, saw that Yu Mi had been captured, he raised his spear and gave chase. The spear was thrusting toward the middle of Ce’s back, when a soldier from Ce’s lines shouted out, “Behind you! Someone’s trying to get the drop on you!” Turning his head, Ce suddenly saw Fan Neng approaching on his horse. Ce let out a thunderous battle cry. Fan Neng was so startled, he fell from his horse. He died from the impact of his head striking the ground. Ce had arrived at the flags posted at the entrance of his army’s encampment, when he threw Yu Mi to the ground, his life already having been squeezed out of him. In an instant, Ce had squeezed one general to death, and had shouted another general to death. From then on, everyone called Sun Ce “Little Conqueror”.

27

　　當日劉繇兵大敗，人馬大半降策。策斬首萬餘。劉繇與笮融走豫章，投劉表去了。孫策還兵復攻秣陵，親到城河邊，招諭薛禮投降。城上暗放一冷箭，正中孫策左腿，翻身落馬。眾將急救起，還營拔箭，以金瘡藥傅之。策令軍中詐稱主將中箭身死。軍中舉哀，拔寨齊起。

Liu Yao’s army suffered a major defeat that day, with half of his men surrendering to Ce. Ce severed more than 10,000 heads. Liu Yao and Ze Rong fled to Yuzhang, in order to cast their lot with Liu Biao. Sun Ce gathered up his army and once again attacked Moling. Arriving in person at the moat, he urged Xue Li to surrender. An arrow was shot from a hiding place on top of the city wall. It pierced Sun Ce’s left thigh, causing him to tumble from his horse. His generals rushed to his aid. They returned him to camp, pulled out the arrow, and applied a medicine used for treating wounds caused by metal incisions. Ce ordered someone in his army to falsely claim that the commanding general had been struck by an arrow and had died, and that his army had broken up camp in order to hold a funeral.

28

　　薛禮聽知孫策已死，連夜起城內之軍，與驍將張英、陳橫殺出城來追之。忽然伏兵四起，孫策當先出馬，高聲大叫曰：「孫郎在此！」眾軍皆驚，盡棄槍刀，拜於地下，策令休殺一人。張英撥馬回走，被陳武一槍刺死。陳橫被蔣欽一箭射死。薛禮死於亂軍之中。策入秣陵，安輯居民，移兵至涇縣來捉太史慈。

When Xue Li heard that Sun Ce already had died, he readied the troops within the city walls throughout the night, and then charged out in pursuit along with his brave generals, Zhang Ying and and Chen Heng. Suddenly, hidden soldiers surrounded them on all four sides, with Sun Ce out in front on his horse, shouting, “I, Sun Lang, am here!” All of the soldiers were stunned, and threw down their spears and swords, bowing down on the ground. Ce ordered that none be killed. However, when Zhang Ying wheeled his horse around to flee, he was stabbed to death by Chen Wu’s spear. Chen Heng died by one of Jiang Qin’s arrows. Xue Li was killed by the army, which now had fallen into disarray. Ce entered the town of Moling, and pacified the residents. He then moved his troops to Jing County, in order to take on Taishi Ci.

29

　　卻說太史慈招得精壯二千餘人，并所部兵，正要來與劉繇報讎。孫策與周瑜商議活捉太史慈之計。瑜令三面攻縣，只留東門放走；離縣二十五里，三路各伏一軍，太史慈到那裡，人困馬乏，必然被擒。原來太史慈所招軍大半是山野之民，不諳紀律。涇縣城頭，苦不甚高。當夜孫策命陳武短衣持刀，首先爬上城放火。太史慈見城上火起，上馬投東門走，背後孫策引軍趕來。

Let us now turn to Taishi Ci, who had collected more than two thousand troops, and was on the verge avenging Liu Yao. Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were discussing a plan to capture Taishi Ci alive. Yu would order a three-sided attack against the county, only allowing an escape route through the eastern gate. At a distance of 25 li,^[5] they would hide troops along each of the three routes. By the time Taishi Ci would arrive, His men and horses would be tired, and he would be captured for sure. As it turns out, more than half of the men recruited by Taishi Ci were from the countryside, and knew nothing of discipline. The city walls of the Jing County township were not that high. In the evening, Sun Ce ordered Chen Wu to wear a short jacket, take a sword, climb the township wall, and light a fire. When Taishi Ci saw the fire being lit on the township wall, he mounted his horse and rode toward the eastern gate. Sun Ce led an army in pursuit.

30

　　太史慈正走，後軍趕至三十里，卻不趕了。太史慈走了五十里，人困馬乏，蘆葦之中，喊聲忽起。慈急待走，兩下裡絆馬索齊來，將馬絆翻了，生擒太史慈，解投大寨。策知解到太史慈，親自出營喝散士卒，自釋其縛，將自己錦袍衣之，請入寨中，謂曰：「吾知子義真丈夫也。劉繇蠢輩，不能用為大將，以致此敗。」

Taishi Ci was in the process of leaving, with his army following him for 30 li without catching up.^[6] After Taishi Ci had gone 50 li,^[7] his men and horses became exhausted. Suddenly, the sound of shouting could be heard from the nearby reeds. Ci was about to flee, but a rope for capturing horses toppled his horse, and Taishi Ci was captured alive. He was taken to the camp. When Ce learned that Taishi Ci had been brought to him, he personally came out of the camp to order the soldiers to disperse, and he untied him. He also gave him a brocade robe to wear, and invited him into the camp, saying to him, "I know that you are an upright person. Liu Yao was foolish, and was unsuited to be a general, which is why he was defeated."

31

　　慈見策待之甚厚，遂請降。策執慈手笑曰：「神亭相戰之時，若公獲我，還相害否？」慈笑曰：「未可知也。」策大笑，請入帳，邀之上坐，設宴款待。慈曰：「劉君新破，士卒離心，某欲自往收拾餘眾，以助明公，不識能相信否？」策起謝曰：「此誠策所願也。今與公約：明日日中，望公來還。」慈應諾而去。諸將曰：「太史慈此去必不來矣。」策曰：「子義乃信義之士，必不背我。」眾皆未信。

When Ci saw how compassionately Ce was treating him, he asked if he could surrender to him. Ce took Ci's hand, and smiled, saying, "If you had captured me during the battle at Shenting, would you have harmed me?" Ci smiled, saying, "There is no way to know." Ce laughed, and invited him into his tent. He invited him to sit at the place of honor, and threw a banquet for him. Ci said, "With the recent defeat of Liu, the troops have become demoralized. I would like to go personally to the ones remaining, and convince them to join forces with you. I do not know whether or not you believe me." Ce became accommodating, saying, "I truly is what I wish. I will make a pact with you. I expect you to return by noon tomorrow." Ci promised he would return, then left. All of the generals said, "Taishi Ci will not come back." Ce said, "Ziyi is a gentleman of his word. He will not betray me." No one believed him.

32

　　次日，立竿於營門以候日影。恰將日中，太史慈引一千餘眾到寨，孫策大喜，眾皆服策之知人。於是孫策聚數萬之眾，下江東，安民恤眾，投者無數。江東之民，皆呼策為孫郎。但聞孫郎兵至，皆喪膽而走。及策軍到，並不許一人擄掠，雞犬不驚，人民皆悅，齎牛酒到寨勞軍。策以金帛答之，懽聲遍野。其劉繇舊軍願從軍者聽從，不願為軍者給賞歸農。江南之民，無不仰頌，由是兵勢大盛。策乃迎母叔諸弟俱歸曲阿，使弟孫權與周泰守宣城。策領兵東取吳郡。

The following day, a pole was erected at the gate of the camp in order to await the sun’s shadow. At exactly noon, Taishi Ci led more then 1,000 men into the stronghold. Sun Ce was overjoyed, and everyone had to concede that Ce was an astute judge of character. Sun Ce then gathered tens of thousands of people, and headed to the east of the river. The people were pacified and comforted, and countless numbers surrendered. Everyone to the east of the river referred to Ce as Minister Sun. No sooner than they heard that Minister Sun was approaching, than they all fled in terror. But as soon as Ce’s army arrived, he would not allow any of his men to pillage. The livestock had nothing to fear and the people were so happy, that they brought meat and wine to the stronghold to show their appreciation to the soldiers. Ce repaid their kindness with gifts of gold and silk, and joy spread throughout the countryside. Of the remnants of Liu Yao’s army, those that wished to remain in the army pledged their loyalty to their new leader, while the rest were given their wages and allowed to return to their farms. The people to the south of the river all revered him, and from that point on, the strength of the army increased. Ce then invited his mother, uncle and younger brother to return to Qu’e. He placed his younger brother Sun Quan, along with Zhou Tai, in charge of Xuancheng. Ce then led his army east, in order to take Wu Commandery.

33

　　時有嚴白虎，自稱東吳德王，據吳郡，遣部將守住烏程、嘉興。當日白虎聞策兵至，令弟 嚴 輿出兵，會於楓橋。輿橫刀立馬於橋上。有人報入中軍，策便欲出。張紘諫曰：「夫主將乃三軍之所繫命，不宜輕敵小寇，願將軍自重。」策謝曰：「先生之言如金石；但恐不親冒矢石，則將士不用命耳。」遂遣韓當出馬。

At the time, there was White Tiger Yan, who called himself the Virtuous King of Eastern Wu. He himself occupied Wu Commandery, while he dispatched subordinates to defend Wucheng and Jiaxing. On the day White Tiger heard that Ce’s army was approaching, he ordered his younger brother, Yan Yu, to take soldiers and intercept the invaders at Maple Bridge. Yu sat on his horse on top of the bridge, sword in hand. Someone reported this to the Army of the Center, and Ce wanted to go and investigate. Zhang Hong admonished him, saying, “The fate of the three armies is tied to the head general. You must not underestimate the enemy. I hope that you have a higher regard for your own importance.” Ce thanked him, saying, “Your words are like gold; however, I’m afraid that if I don’t personally brave the slings and arrows, then the troops will not obey my orders.” He then sent out Han Dang on his horse.

34

　　比及韓當到橋上時，蔣欽、陳武，早駕小舟從河岸邊殺過橋來，亂箭射倒岸上軍。二人飛身上岸砍殺，嚴輿退走。韓當引軍直殺到閶門下，賊退入城裡去了。策分兵水陸並進，圍住吳城。一圍三日，無人出戰。策引眾軍到閶門外招諭，城上一員裨將，左手托定護梁，右手指著城下大罵。太史慈就馬上拈弓取箭，顧軍將曰：「看我射中這廝左手！」

By the time Han Dang arrived on top of the bridge, Jiang Qin and Chen Wu already had boarded a small boat, and had mounted an assault on the bridge, shooting arrows indiscriminately at the army on the shore. After the two of them dashed onto shore, killing everyone in sight, Yan Yu retreated. Han Dang led his force on a rampage toward Chang Gate, forcing the bandits to withdraw inside the city walls. Ce divided his troops and advanced both on land and water, surrounding Wucheng. They surrounded the city for three days, but nobody came out to fight. Ce led his army to the outside of Chang Gate, and called on the enemy to surrender. A deputy general on top of the city wall was using his left hand to lean on a wooden protective barrier, while using his right hand to point to the area below the city wall and to shout out curses. Taishi Ci took up his bow and arrow, and said to the commanding general, “Watch me shoot this guy’s left hand!”

35

　　說聲未絕，弓弦響處，果然射個正中，把那將的左手射透，反牢釘在護梁上。城上城下見者，無不喝采。

He had hardly finished speaking, when the sound of his released bowstring rang out. Sure enough, the arrow hit its mark, piercing the general’s left hand, and nailing it to the wooden barrier. Everybody on top of the city wall, as well as below it, marveled at the sight.

36

　　眾人救了這人下城。白虎大驚曰：「彼軍有如此人，安能敵乎？」遂商量求和。次日，使嚴輿出城，來見孫策。策請輿入帳飲酒。酒酣，問輿曰：「令兄意欲如何？」輿曰：「欲與將軍平分江東。」策大怒曰：「鼠輩安敢與吾相等！」命斬嚴輿。輿拔劍起身，策飛劍砍之，應手而倒，割下首級，令人送入城中。白虎料敵不過，棄城而走。

A group of men helped him down from the city wall. White Tiger was shocked, saying, “With a man like this in their army, how can we oppose them?” He then discussed with his men the idea of suing for peace. The following day, he had Yan Yu exited the city walls to see Sun Ce. Ce invited Yu into his tent for a drink. After a few drinks, he asked Yu, “What would you like from me?” Yu said, “We would like to divide the area to the east of the river with you.” Ce was outraged, saying, “You dare to place yourself on my level!” He ordered Yan Yu to be beheaded. Yu drew his sword and stood up. Ce sprang into action with his sword, striking him down. Yu fell in an instant, and was beheaded. Ce ordered the body to be returned inside the city walls. Unable to anticipate the enemy, White Tiger abandoned the city and fled.

37

　　策進兵追襲，黃蓋攻取嘉興，太史慈攻取烏程，數州皆平。白虎奔餘杭，於路劫掠，被土人凌操，領鄉人殺敗，望會稽而走。凌操父子二人，來接孫策，策使為從征校尉，遂同引兵渡江。嚴白虎聚寇，分布於西津渡口。程普與戰，復大敗之，連夜趕到會稽。

Ce advanced his soldiers forward in pursuit, Huang Gai took Jiaxing, and Taishi Ci took Wucheng, so a number of locations were pacified. White Tiger headed towards Yuhang, pillaging along the way, until he was defeated by a group of villagers, led by a local named Ling Cao, and after that, departed for Kuaiji. Ling Cao and his son came to greet Sun Ce, and Ce made him a captain in the campaign. All of them then crossed the river. White Tiger gathered his fellow bandits at the mouth of the western ferry crossing. Cheng Pu attacked him, and he again suffered a huge defeat, having to flee throughout the night to Kuaiji.

38

　　會稽太守王朗，欲引兵救白虎。忽一人出曰：「不可。孫策用仁義之師，白虎乃暴虐之眾，還宜擒白虎以獻孫策。」朗視之，乃會稽餘姚人，姓虞，名翻，字仲翔，見為郡吏。朗怒叱之，翻長歎而出。朗遂引兵會合白虎，同陳兵於山陰之野。兩陣對圓，孫策出馬，謂王朗曰：「吾興仁義之兵，來安浙江，汝何故助賊？」朗罵曰：「汝貪心不足？既得吳郡，而又強併吾界！今日特與嚴氏報讎！」

Wang Lang, governor of Kuaiji, wanted to lead an army in order to rescue White Tiger. Suddenly, a person stepped forward and said, “Don’t do it! Sun Ce is a general who practices benevolence and justice. White Tiger is an ordinary ruffian. It would be better to capture him and offer him to Sun Ce.” Lang looked at him. It was a person from Yuyao, Kuaiji. His surname was Yu, his given name was Fan, and his style name was Zhongxiang. He saw that he was a minor official in Kuaiji. Lang angrily scolded Fan, so he gave a long sigh and withdrew. Accordingly, Lang led an army in order to rendezvous with White Tiger, and they both arrayed their soldiers in the fields of Shanyin. The two battle formations squared off. Sun Ce road out on his horse, saying to Wang Lang, “I have raised an army of benevolence and justice in order to pacify Zhejiang. Why are you helping a bandit?” Lang cursed him, saying, “Is there no end to your greed? Now that you have acquired Wu Commandery, you want to swallow up my lands as well! I have come today for no other purpose than to seek satisfaction for the Yan family!”

39

　　孫策大怒，正待交戰，太史慈早出。王朗拍馬舞刀，與慈戰不數合，朗將周昕，殺出助戰。孫策陣中，黃蓋飛馬接住周昕交鋒。兩下鼓聲大震，互相鏖戰。忽王朗陣後先亂，一彪軍從背後抄來。朗大驚，急回馬來迎。原來是周瑜、程普引軍刺斜殺來，前後夾攻。王朗寡不敵眾，與白虎、周昕，殺條血路，走入城中；拽起弔橋，堅閉城門。

Sun Ce was very angry, and was preparing to fight, but Taishi Ci came forward first. Wang Lang slapped his horse and waved his sword. He fought with Ci for a number of rounds. Then, one of Wang Lang’s generals, Zhou Xin, came out to help in the fighting. Huang Gai came out from Sun Ce’s lines to meet Zhou Xin in battle. The drums of both armies thundered, and both sides engaged in a pitched battle. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the back of Wang Lang’s ranks. A group of soldiers was attacking from the rear. Lang was startled, and swung his horse around in order to deal with them. It turned out to be Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu coming around his flank to engage in a pincer attack. Seeing that he was hopelessly outnumbered, Wang Lang, along with White Tiger and Zhou Xin, carved out an escape route through the enemy lines, and fled into the city. They pulled up the drawbridge, and closed the city gates.

40

　　孫策大軍，乘勢趕到城下，分布眾軍，四門攻打。王朗在城中，見孫策攻城甚急，欲再出兵決一死戰。嚴白虎曰：「孫策兵勢甚大，足下只宜深溝高壘，堅壁勿出。不消一月，彼軍糧盡，自然退走。那時乘虛掩之，可不戰而破也。」朗依其議，乃固守會稽城而不出。

41

　　孫策一連攻了數日，不能成功，乃與眾將計議。孫靜曰：「王朗負固守城，難可卒拔；會稽錢糧，大半屯於查瀆；其地離此數十里，莫若以兵先據其內，所謂攻其無備，出其不意也。」策大喜曰：「叔父妙用，足破賊人矣！」即下令於各門燃火，虛張旗號，設為疑兵，連夜撤圍南去。周瑜進曰：「主公大兵一起，王朗必然出城來趕，可用奇兵勝之。」策曰：「吾今準備了，取城只在今夜。」遂令軍馬起行。

42

　　卻說王朗聞報孫策軍馬退去，自引眾人來敵樓上觀望；見城下煙火併起，旌旗不雜，心下遲疑。周昕曰：「孫策走矣，特設此計以疑我耳。可出兵襲之。」嚴白虎曰：「孫策此去，莫非要去查瀆。我引部兵與周將軍追之。」朗曰：「查瀆是我屯糧之所，正須提防。汝引兵先行，吾隨後接應。」白虎與周昕領五千兵出城追趕。將近初更，離城二十餘里，忽密林裡一聲鼓響，火把齊明。白虎大驚，便勒馬回走。一將當先攔住，火光中視之，乃孫策也。周昕舞刀來迎，被策一槍刺死。餘眾皆降。白虎殺條血路，望餘杭而走。

43

　　王朗聽知前軍已敗，不敢入城，引部下奔逃海隅去了。孫策復回大軍，乘勢取了城池，安定人民。不隔一日，只見一人將著嚴白虎首級來孫策軍前投獻。策視其人，身長八尺，面方口闊。問其姓名，乃會稽餘姚人，姓董，名襲，字元代。策喜，命為別部司馬。自是東路皆平，令叔孫靜守之，令朱治為吳郡太守，收軍回江東。

44

　　卻說孫權與周泰守宣城，忽山賊竊發，四面殺至。時值更深，不及抵敵，泰抱權上馬。賊用刀來砍。泰赤體步行，提刀殺賊，砍殺十餘人。隨後一賊躍馬挺槍直取周泰，被泰扯住槍，拖下馬來，奪了槍馬，殺條血路，救出孫權。餘賊遠遁。周泰身被十二槍，金瘡發脹，命在須臾。

45

　　策聞之大驚。帳下董襲曰：「某曾與海寇相持，身遭數槍，得會稽一個賢郡吏虞翻，薦一醫者，半月而愈。」策曰：「虞翻莫非虞仲翔乎？」襲曰：「然。」策曰：「此賢士也，我當用之。」乃令張昭與董襲同往聘請虞翻。翻至，策優禮相待，拜為功曹，因言及求醫之意。翻曰：「此人乃沛國譙郡人，姓華，名佗，字元化。真當世之神醫也。當引之來見。」

Hua Tuo

46

　　不一日引至。策見其人，童顏鶴髮，飄然有出世之姿，乃待為上賓，請視周泰瘡。佗曰：「此易事耳。」投之以藥，一月而愈。策大喜，厚謝華佗，遂進兵殺除山賊。江南皆平。孫策分撥將士，守把各處隘口；一面寫表申奏朝廷；一面結交曹操；一面使人致書與袁術取玉璽。

47

　　卻說袁術暗有稱帝之心，乃回書推託不還，急聚長史楊大將，都督張勳、紀靈、橋蕤，上將雷薄、陳蘭等，三十餘人，商議曰：「孫策借我軍馬起事，今日盡得江東地面，乃不思報本，而反來索璽，殊為無禮。當以何策圖之？」長史楊大將曰：「孫策據長江之險，兵精糧廣，未可圖也。今當先伐劉備，以報前日無故相攻之恨，然後圖取孫策未遲。某獻一計，使備即日就擒。」正是：不去江東圖虎豹，卻來徐郡鬬蛟龍。不知其計若何，且看下文分解。

Don't know what is the plan? Keep reading, and all will be explained.

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Notes

1. One hu was equal to 20 liters (~5.26 gallons).
2. One tael was equal to 40 grams (~1.4 ounces).
3. Translation: proper rites
4. One chi is approximately 23.1 cm, seven chi is approximately 1.617 meters (5.30511811 feet).
5. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, 25 li would have been 10.4 km (~6.46 miles).
6. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, 30 li would have been 12.47 km (~7.91 miles).
7. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, 50 li would have been 20.79 km (~12.91 miles).