Translation:Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Chapter 7

by Luo Guanzhong

第七回

Chapter 7

袁紹磐河戰公孫　孫堅跨江擊劉表

Yuan Shao fights with Gongsun at the Pan River; Sun Jian crosses a different river and attacks Liu Biao.

1

　　卻說孫堅被劉表圍住，虧得程普、黃蓋、韓當三將死救得脫，折兵大半，奪路引兵回江東。自此孫堅與劉表結怨。

Let us now turn to Sun Jian, who was surrounded by Liu Biao's men. Fortunately, General Cheng Pu, General Huang Gai and General Han Dang fought tooth and nail to save him and allow him to escape. They lost more than half of their forces, but they managed to lead their army on an escape route, and return to the eastern bank of the Yangtze.^[1] From then on, Sun Jian developed a grudge against Liu Biao.

2

　　且說袁紹屯兵河內，缺少糧草。冀州牧韓馥，遣人送糧以資軍用。謀士逢紀說紹曰：「大丈夫縱橫天下，何待人送糧為食？冀州乃錢糧廣盛之地，將軍何不取之？」紹曰：「未有良策。」紀曰：「可暗使人馳書與公孫瓚，令進兵取冀州，約以夾攻，瓚必興兵。韓馥無謀之輩，必請將軍領州事；就中取事，垂手可得。」

Let us now turn to Yuan Shao. He had stationed his troops in Henei, but was short of food rations. Han Fu, the overlord of Jizhou, had dispatched people to send more grain for the use of Shao's army. The advisor Pang Ji implored Shao, saying, "You have license to do as you please anywhere in the country, why wait for someone to send grain for you to eat? Jizhou has an abundance of food and riches. Why don't you confiscate what you need from there?" Shao said, "I don't have a good strategy." Ji replied, "You could secretly send someone with an express letter to Gongsun Zan, ordering him to advance his army and take over Jizhou. You could then coordinate with his forces in a pincer attack. If you ordered him, Zan would have no choice but to put together his force. Han Fu is rather clueless, he would almost certainly invite you to take charge of the place. Since you would be running the show from the inside, anything you desire would be yours for the taking."

3

　　紹大喜，即發書到瓚處。瓚得書，見說共攻冀州，平分其地，大喜，即日興兵。紹卻使人密報韓馥。馥慌聚荀諶、辛評，二謀士商議。諶曰：「公孫瓚將燕代之眾，長驅而來，其鋒不可當；兼有劉備、關、張助之，難以抵敵。今袁本初智勇過人，手下名將極多，將軍可請彼同治州事，彼必厚待將軍，無患公孫瓚矣。」

Shao was overjoyed, and immediately sent a letter to Zan's headquarters. When Zan received the letter and saw that he and Shao were to jointly attack Jizhou, and then split up the land between them, he was overjoyed and raised an army that very day. Shao also sent someone to secretly tip off Han Fu. Fu hastily gathered together his two advisors Xun Chen and Xin Ping to discuss the matter. Chen said, "Zan will rapidly deploy a large force from the area near Yan and Dai; we will be unable to keep the tips of their spears at bay. Not only that, he will have Liu Bei, Guan and Zhang assisting him. We will have a difficult time fighting off this enemy. Now, Yuan Benchu is cunning and brave to a degree not matched by other men, and there are a great many notable generals under his command. You could invite him to govern jointly with you. He would almost certainly give you preferential treatment, and you would not have to worry about Gongsun Zan."

4

　　韓馥即差別駕關純去請袁紹。長史耿武諫曰：「袁紹孤客窮軍，仰我鼻息，譬如嬰兒在股掌之上， 絕其乳哺，立可餓死。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。古者擇賢者而讓之，諸君何嫉妒耶？」耿武嘆曰：「冀州休矣！」於是棄職而去者三十餘人；獨耿武與關純伏於城外，以待袁紹。

Han Fu immediately sent his assistant, Guan Chun,^[2] to propose the matter to Yuan Shao. Geng Wu, his chief secretary, admonished him, "Yuan Shao is all alone, with an army which is cut off and isolated. They rely on our power and influence just like a baby relies on hips and palms to be carried around. If we deny the baby mother's milk, it will soon die of starvation. How can you entrust him to handle matters within your province? It's like leading a tiger into a group of lambs." Fu responded, "I am a former employee of the Yuan family, and I know that my abilities do not match those of Benchu. The ancients would select men of talent and then defer to them. Why are you all so jealous of him?" Geng Wu sighed, saying, "Jizhou is done for!" After that, more than thirty people abandoned their posts; only Geng Wu and Guan Chun remained hidden outside of the city walls, in anticipation of Yuan Shao's arrival.

5

　　數日後，紹引兵至。耿武、關純拔刀而出，欲刺殺紹。紹將顏良立斬耿武，文醜砍死關純，紹入冀州，以馥為奮威將軍，以田豐、沮授、許攸、逢紀分掌州事，盡奪韓馥之權。馥懊悔無及，遂棄下家小，匹馬往投陳留太守張邈去了。

Tian Feng

Ju Shou

Several days later, Shao arrived with his army. Geng Wu and Guan Chun drew their swords and headed out with the intention of slaying Shao. Shao's general, Yan Liang, immediately cut down Geng Wu, and Wen Chou killed Guan Chun. Shao entered Jizhou and gave Fu the title of general of summoned might and power. He divided the official duties of the province among Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You and Pang Ji, thereby completely stripping Han Fu of his power. It all happened so fast, that Fu had no time to regret his decision. After that, he abandoned his wife and children, and set out, by himself, to see Zhang Miao, governor Chenliu Commandery.

6

　　卻說公孫瓚知袁紹已據冀州，遣弟公孫越來見紹，欲分其地。紹曰：「可請汝兄自來，吾有商議。」越辭歸。行不到五十里，道旁閃出一彪軍馬，口稱：「我乃董丞相家將也！」亂箭射死公孫越。從人逃回見公孫瓚，報越已死。瓚大怒曰：「袁紹引我起兵攻韓馥，他卻就裡取事；今又詐董卓兵射死吾弟，此冤如何不報！」盡起本部兵，殺奔冀州來。

Let us now turn to Gongsun Zan who, upon finding out that Yuan Shao had occupied Jizhou, had sent his younger brother Gongsun Yue to see Shao. He wanted the land to be divided between them. Shao said, "You should ask your brother to come himself, I would like to discuss the matter with him." With that, Yue took his leave. He had gone not more than 50 li,^[3] when a group of soldiers and horses appeared from the side of the road. They yelled out, "We are Chancellor Dong's personal guards!" Then, a flurry of arrows was let loose, killing Gongsun Yue. One of his attendants managed to escape and make his way to Gongsun Zan, reporting to him that Yue had died. Zan was outraged, saying, "Yuan Shao enticed me into raising an army in order to attack Han Fu so that he could run things from the inside. Not only that, his men shot and killed my brother with arrows, then tried to pretend that it was Dong Zhuo's men who had done it. How can I not avenge this injustice!" He gathered up every one of the soldiers of his main force, and launched an attack against Jizhou.

7

　　紹知瓚兵至，亦領軍出。二軍會於磐河之上：紹軍於磐河橋東，瓚軍於橋西。瓚立馬橋上，大呼曰：「背義之徒，何敢賣我？」紹亦策馬至橋邊，指瓚曰：「韓馥無才，願讓冀州於吾，與爾何干？」瓚曰：「昔日以汝為忠義，推為盟主；今之所為，真狼心狗行之徒，有何面目立於世間！」袁紹大怒曰：「誰可擒之？」

Shao found out that Zan's army had arrived, so he led his army out as well. The two armies met at the Pan River; Shao's army was on the east of the Pan River Bridge, and Zan's army was on the west of the bridge. Zan was on the bridge in an instant, yelling out, "You sellout! How could you betray me?" Shao also spurred his horse onto the bridge. He pointed at Zan, saying, "Han Fu was lacking in ability, he wanted to give Jizhou to me. What does any of that have to do with you?" Zan said, "In the past, I took you for someone who understood loyalty; that's why I recommended that you be leader of the alliance. But now you've gone and done this! Your treachery is now revealed to me. How is it that you have the nerve to show yourself before the world!" Yuan Shao was outraged, saying, "Who can capture him?"

8

　　言未畢，文醜策馬挺槍，直殺上橋。公孫瓚就橋邊與文醜交鋒。戰不到十餘合，瓚抵擋不住，敗陣而走。文醜乘勢追趕。瓚走入陣中，文醜飛馬逕入中軍，往來衝突。瓚手下健將四員，一齊迎戰；被文醜一槍，刺一將下馬，三將俱走。文醜直趕公孫瓚出陣後，瓚望山谷而逃。文醜驟馬厲聲大叫：「快下馬受降！」瓚弓箭盡落，頭盔墜地；披髮縱馬，奔轉山坡；其馬前失，瓚翻身落於坡下。文醜急捻槍來刺，忽見草坡左側轉出一個少年將軍，飛馬挺槍，直取文醜。

He had not yet finished his sentence, when Wen Chou raised his spear and whipped his horse into action. He charged straight onto the bridge. Gongsun Zan crossed blades with Wen Chou at the side of the bridge.^[4] After not more than ten bouts, Zan could no longer keep him at bay, and fled in defeat. Wen Chou took advantage of the situation and gave chase. Zan reentered his own battle formation, but Wen Chou galloped straight into the Army of the Center, and they ended up fighting back and forth. Four of Zan's fiercest generals all attacked in unison; one of them was stabbed by Wen Chou, and fell off of his horse. The other three all ran away. After Wen Chou chased Gongsun Zan out of his own battle formation, Zan fled toward a mountain valley. Wen Chou rode his horse at full gallop, and shouted sternly, "Dismount from your horse and surrender this instant!" Swords and arrows rained down on Zan, and his helmet fell to the ground. He galloped away, hair disheveled, and fled toward a hillside. The front hooves of his horse got stuck, sending Zan tumbling head over heels to the ground. Wen Chou clutched his spear and hastily jabbed at his opponent. Suddenly, a young general appeared from the left side of the grassy hillside; he was charging full speed at Wen Chou, with his spear raised over his head.

9

　　公孫瓚爬上坡去看，那少年生得身長八尺，濃眉大眼，闊面重頤，威風凜凜；與文醜大戰五六十合，勝負未分。瓚部下救軍到，文醜撥馬回去了。那少年也不追趕。瓚忙下土坡，問那少年姓名。那少年欠身答曰：「某乃常山真定人也；姓趙，名雲，字子龍；本袁紹轄下之人。因見紹無忠君救民之心，故特棄彼而投麾下；不期於此處相見。」瓚大喜，遂同歸寨，整頓甲兵。

Zhao Yun

Gongsun Zan climbed up the hill to get a better look. The young man stood at a height of eight chi,^[5] had bushy eyebrows and big eyes, with a wide face and a prominent jaw. He was quite majestic in appearance. He fought fifty or sixty bouts with Wen Chou, but one could not tell who was winning and who was losing. After Zan's men arrived on the scene and joined the fray, Wen Chou wheeled his horse around and withdrew. The young man did not give chase. Zan hurried down from the hillside, and asked the name of the young man. The young man bowed, and replied, "I am from Zhending County, Changshan Commandery. My surname is Zhao, my given name is Yun, and my style name is Zilong.^[6] I was originally under Yuan Shao's command. Because I saw that Shao lacked fidelity to his ruler, and had no desire to help the people, I made a conscious decision to abandon him and throw in my lot with Your Excellency; however, I didn't expect to run into you here." Zan was overjoyed, and they subsequently returned together to camp and began to whip the troops into shape.

10

　　次日，瓚將軍馬分作左右兩隊，勢如羽翼。馬五千餘匹，大半皆白馬。因公孫瓚曾與羌人戰，盡選白馬為先鋒，號為「白馬將軍」。羌人但見白馬便走，因此白馬極多。袁紹令顏良、文醜為先鋒，各引弓弩手一千，亦分作左右兩隊；令在左者射公孫瓚右軍，在右者射公孫瓚左軍。再令麴義引八百弓手，步兵一萬五千，列於陣中。袁紹自引馬步軍數萬，於後接應。

The following day, Zan divided his war horses into two groups, one on the left and one on the right, so that they resembled the wings of a bird. The horses numbered more than 5,000, a good number of which were white horses. Because Gongsun Zan had fought against the Qiang, he had selected all white horses to take point. He was called the "white horse general." The minute the Qiang saw those white horses, they immediately would flee. Because of this, he had an unusually large number of white horses. Yuan Shao ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to take point, each leading 1,000 archers. These two groups were also split up, one on the right and one on the left. The group on the left was ordered to shoot at Gongsun Zan's army of the right, while the group on the right was to shoot at Gongsun Zan's army of the left. Qu Yi was placed at the center of the battle formation, and was ordered to lead 800 archers and 15,000 soldiers. Yuan Shao brought up the rear, personally leading tens of thousands of cavalry and infantry.

11

　　公孫瓚初得趙雲，不知心腹，令其另領一軍在後，遣大將嚴綱為先鋒。瓚自領中軍，立馬橋上，傍豎大紅圈金線帥字旗於馬前。從辰時擂鼓，直到巳時，紹軍不進。麴義令弓手皆伏於遮箭牌下，只聽砲響發箭。嚴綱鼓譟吶喊，直取麴義，義軍見嚴綱兵來，都伏而不動；直到來得至近，一聲砲響，八百弓弩手一齊俱發。綱急待回，被麴義拍馬舞刀，斬於馬下，瓚軍大敗。左右兩軍，欲來救應，都被顏良、文醜引弓弩手射住。紹軍並進，直殺到界橋邊。麴義馬到，先斬執旗將，把繡旗砍倒。

When he initially recruited Zhao Yun, Gongsun Zan was unsure about Yun's true intentions, so Zan ordered Yun to lead a force in the rear, and placed senior general Yan Gang on point. Zan personally led the Army of the Center,^[7] and immediately was on the bridge. He planted a banner beside him, in front of his horse. On the banner, surrounded by a bright red circle, was embroidered the Chinese character for "general" in golden silk thread.^[8] From the hours of the dragon^[9] -- when the beating of the war drums began -- until the hours of the snake,^[10] Shao's army did not advance. Qu Yi had ordered all of his archers to take cover underneath their protection shields for incoming arrows, and to only shoot their arrows after they had heard the sound of the cannon. The drums and shouts of Yan Gang's army could be heard as his forces charged directly at Qu Yi's army. When Yi's army saw Yan Gang's soldiers, they all took cover and did not move; it was not until the army drew very close, that the sound of the cannon could be heard, and 800 archers all fired their bows and crossbows in unison. Gang hastily retreated, but Qu Yi whipped his horse into action and flourished his sword in the air, cutting Yan Gang down from his horse. Zan's army was suffering a major defeat. His left and right groups launched a rescue mission, but were stopped in their tracks by the arrows of Yan Liang's and Wen Chou's archers. Shao's army advanced abreast, slaughtering their way to Jie Bridge. Qu Yi immediately arrived, first cutting down the general holding the banner , then cutting down the silk embroidered banner.

12

　　公孫瓚見砍倒繡旗，回馬下橋而走。麴義引軍直衝到後軍，正撞著趙雲，挺槍躍馬，直取麴義。戰不數合，一槍刺麴義於馬下。趙雲一騎馬飛入紹軍，左衝右突，如入無人之境。公孫瓚引軍殺回，紹軍大敗。

When Gongsun Zan saw that his silk embroidered banner had been cut down, he wheeled his horse around, and rode his horse off the bridge. As Zan's army was leaving, Qu Yi led his men in a direct assault on Zan's rear, running headlong into Zhao Yun, who raised his spear and charged Qu Yi at full gallop. After not more than a few rounds, Qu Yi was knocked off of his horse with a single thrust of Zhao Yun's spear. Zhao Yun then rode his horse, at full gallop, straight into Shao's forces, attacking everything in sight with impunity. Gongsun Zan wheeled his army back around to mount another attack. Shao's army suffered a major defeat.

13

　　卻說袁紹先使探馬看時，回報麴義斬將搴旗，追趕敗兵；因此不作準備，與田豐引著帳下持戟軍士數百人，弓箭手數十騎，乘馬出觀，呵呵大笑曰：「公孫瓚無能之輩！」

Let us now turn to Yuan Shao, who had sent one of his scouts to ride ahead and find out what was happening. When the scout returned, he reported that Qu Yi had achieved an easy victory, and was now pursuing the defeated army. Because of this, Shao made no preparations before riding out with Tian Feng to observe. The two of them only brought along several hundred halberdiers, and several dozen horse archers. When they arrived, they laughed uproariously, saying, "Gongsun Zan, what a no-talent bum!"

14

　　正說之間，忽見趙雲衝到面前。弓箭手急待射時，雲連刺數人，眾軍皆走。後面瓚軍團團圍裹上來。田豐慌對紹曰：「主公可於空牆中躲避！」紹以兜鍪撲地，大呼曰：「大丈夫願臨陣鬥死，豈可入牆而望活乎！」眾軍士齊心死戰，趙雲衝突不入。紹兵大隊掩至，顏良亦引軍來到，兩路并殺。趙雲保公孫瓚殺透重圍，回到界橋。紹驅兵大進，復趕過橋，落水死者，不計其數。

While they were talking, they suddenly saw Zhao Yun charging towards them. Yun stabbed several people with his spear, while the archers were unleashing a flurry of arrows; Shao's entire army fled. Zan's army came from behind and surrounded them in a tight circle. Tian Feng quickly said to Shao, "Your Excellency should hide in an empty building!" Shao threw his helmet onto the ground, and shouted, "A real man heads for the front lines, and fights to the death. How could I ever duck into a building and hope for deliverance!" All of his men decided to fight to the death; Zhao Yun was unable to penetrate their defenses. A large group of Shao's soldiers arrived and joined the fray. Yan Liang led in his men as well; the two forces attacked from different directions. Zhao Yun went to protect Gongsun Zan, fighting his way out of the tight encirclement, and returning to the Jie Bridge. Shao pressed his troops in a massive surge forward, once again fighting their way over the bridge. Countless men fell into the water to their deaths.

15

　　袁紹當先趕來，不到五里，只聽得山背後喊聲大起，閃出一彪人馬，為首三員大將，乃是劉玄德、關雲長、張翼德。因在平原探知公孫瓚與袁紹相爭，特來助戰。當下三匹馬，三般兵器，飛奔前來，直取袁紹。紹驚得魂飛天外，手中寶刀墜於馬下，忙撥馬而逃，眾人死救過橋。公孫瓚亦收軍歸寨。玄德、關、張動問畢，瓚曰：「若非玄德遠來救我，幾乎狼狽。」教與趙雲相見。玄德甚相敬愛，便有不捨之心。

Yuan Shao led the charge in pursuit of the enemy; he had not gone more than five li,^[11] when all one could hear was a roar of shouting voices from behind a hill. A group of men and horses came out of nowhere, with three generals in the lead. It was Liu Xuande, Guan Yunchang and Zhang Yide. They had been in Pingyuan County, and when they found out that Gongsun Zan was in a battle against Yuan Shao, they came especially to lend their assistance in the fight. Presently, the three men raced on their horses toward Yuan Shao, each man carrying his own type of weapon. Shao was so taken aback that he dropped the sword he was holding in his hand. He hastily wheeled his horse around and fled; his men fought tooth and nail to cross the bridge and rescue him. Gongsun Zan rounded up his men as well and headed back to camp. After Xuande, Guan and Zhang had exchanged pleasantries with Zan, Zan told Xuande, "If you had not come to the rescue, I might have been done for." He then introduced them to Zhao Yun. Xuande and Zhao Yun hit it off right away, and they developed an abiding affection for one another.

16

　　卻說袁紹輸了一陣，堅守不出。兩軍相拒月餘，有人來長安報知董卓。李儒對卓曰：「袁紹與公孫瓚，亦當今豪傑。見在磐河廝殺，宜假天子之詔，差人往和解之。二人感德，必順太師矣。」卓大喜。次日便使太傅馬日磾、太僕趙岐，齎詔前去。二人來至河北，紹出迎於百里之外，再拜奉詔。次日二人至瓚營宣諭，瓚乃遣使致書於紹，互相解和，二人自回京復命。瓚即日班師，又表薦劉玄德為平原相。玄德與趙雲分別，執手垂淚，不忍相離。雲歎曰：「昔日誤認公孫瓚為英雄；今觀所為，亦袁紹等輩耳！」玄德曰：「公且屈身事之，相見有日。」灑淚而別。

Let us now turn to Yuan Shao, who had lost in battle, and was hunkered down at camp. He refused to go out, and the two armies were at a standoff for more than a month. Someone came to Chang'an to report on the situation to Dong Zhuo. Li Ru said to Zhuo, "In our times, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have both proven to be men of outstanding abilities. As we speak, they are slaughtering each other at the Pan River. We should write a forged edict of the Son of Heaven, and send someone with it so that they will make peace with each other. Both of them are men of principle, and will surely defer to you, seeing as you're the Senior Grand Tutor." Zhuo was overjoyed. The next day, he sent Grand Tutor Ma Midi and Minister Coachman Zhao Qi to deliver the imperial edict. After the two ministers arrived to the north of the river, Shao travelled more than one hundred li to pay his respects and formally receive the imperial edict.^[12] The day after that, the two ministers went to Zan's camp in order to publicly recite the edict. Zan then sent an emissary with a letter addressed to Shao, in which he proposed they mutually declare a truce. The two ministers returned to the capital to report on the situation. Zan disbanded his army that very day, and also recommended that Liu Xuande be promoted to the rank of Pingyuan County Magistrate.^[13] Xuande and Zhao Yun bid each other farewell; they shook hands and shed tears, for they did not want to part each other's company. Yun sighed and said, "In days gone by, I wrongly thought that Gongsun Zan was a hero; now that I have seen him in action, I have come to the conclusion that he is no better than Yuan Shao and the rest of them!" Xuande said, "You must still obediently serve him; we will see each other again one day." With tears in their eyes, they bid each other farewell.

17

　　卻說袁術在南陽，聞袁紹新得冀州，遣使來求馬千匹。紹不與，術怒。自此，兄弟不睦。又遣使往荊州，問劉表借糧二十萬，表亦不與。術恨之，密遣人遺書於孫堅，使伐劉表。其書略曰：

Let us now turn to Yuan Shu, who was at Nanyang. When he heard that Yuan Shao had obtained Jizhou, he sent an emissary to request 1,000 horses. Shao denied the request, which angered Shu. From then on, there was no peace between the two brothers. He then sent an emissary to Jingzhou in order to ask Liu Biao if he could borrow 200,000 in food provisions. Liu Biao refused his request as well, causing Shu to have hard feelings. Accordingly, he secretly sent someone to deliver a letter to Sun Jian. Shu wanted him to launch an attack against Liu Biao. The letter more or less said the following:

18

前者劉表截路，乃吾兄本初之謀也。今本初又與表私議欲襲江東。公可速興兵伐劉表，吾為公取本初，二讎可報，公取荊州，吾取冀州，切勿誤也！

Previously, when Liu Biao blocked your path,^[14] it was actually my brother Benchu who came up with the idea. Now, Benchu has again secretly conspired with Biao to attack the eastern bank of the Yangtze.^[1] You must quickly raise an army in order to launch an attack against Liu Biao; I will take on Benchu, so as to keep him out of your hair. In that way, we will both get our revenge at the same time. You can take Jingzhou, and I will take Jizhou. No matter what, you must not fail to take advantage of this opportunity!

19

　　堅得書曰：「叵耐劉表，昔日斷吾歸路，今不乘時報恨，更待何時？」聚帳下程普、黃蓋、韓當等相議。程普曰：「袁術多詐，未可准信。」堅曰：「吾自欲報讎，豈望袁術之助乎？」便差黃蓋先來江邊，安排戰船，多裝軍器糧草，大船裝載戰馬，剋日興師。江中細作探知，來報劉表。表大驚，急聚文武將士商議。蒯良曰：「不必憂慮。可令黃祖部領江夏之兵為前驅，主公率荊襄之眾為援。孫堅跨江涉湖而來，安能用武乎？」表然之，令黃祖設備，隨後便起大軍。

After Jian received the letter, he said, "I will not abide Liu Biao. In the past, he blocked my path on my way home; if I don't seize the moment and take my revenge right now, when will I?" He gathered his subordinates, including Cheng Pu, Huang Gai and Han Dang, to discuss the matter. Cheng Pu said, "Yuan Shu has been deceitful on numerous occasions, and cannot be trusted." Jian said, "I would like to personally exact my revenge, so why on earth would I desire the help of Yuan Shu?" He then sent Huang Gai ahead to the bank of the river in order to prepare the war junks; weapons and food rations were loaded aboard, and warhorses were put onto the larger ships. Following that, he scheduled a date for calling up the army. When the spies along the river found out what was going on, they reported what they saw to Liu Biao. Biao was shocked, and hastily convened his military and civilian advisors to discuss the situation. Kuai Liang said, "No need to worry, we can order Huang Zu to take charge of the Jiangxia troops; his force would be at the front. Your Excellency could lead the men from Jingzhou and Xiang as a contingency force. Sun Jian has crossed many rivers and lakes to get here; in light of that, how would he be able to use a sizable military force against you?" Biao concurred with this assessment, and ordered Huang Zu to make preparations. Biao then raised a large army.

20

　　卻說孫堅有四子，皆吳夫人所生：長子名策，字伯符；次子名權，字仲謀；三子名翊，字叔弼；四子名匡，字季佐。吳夫人之妹，即為孫堅次妻，亦生一子一女：子名朗，字早安；女名仁。堅又過房俞氏 一子，名韶，字公禮。堅有一弟，名靜，字幼臺。

Sun Ce

Sun Quan

Let us now turn to Sun Jian's sons, four of whom were the offspring of Lady Wu. The given name of the oldest was Ce, whose style name was Bofu;^[15] the given name of his second son was Quan, whose style name was Zhongmou;^[16] the given name of his third son was Yi, whose style name was Shubi;^[17] the given name of his fourth son was Kuang, whose style name was Jizuo;^[18] Lady Wu's younger sister was Sun Jian's second wife. She also bore him one son and one daughter. The given name of the son was Lang, whose style name was Zao'an;^[19] the daughter's given name was Ren. Jian had also adopted a boy from the Yu family, whose given name was Shao, and whose style name was Gongli.^[20] Jian had one younger brother, whose given name was Jing, and whose style name was Youtai.^[21]

21

　　堅臨行，靜引諸子列拜於馬前而諫曰：「今董卓專權，天子懦弱，海內大亂，各霸一方，江東方稍寧；以一小恨而起重兵，非所宜也。願兄詳之。」堅曰：「弟勿多言。吾將縱橫天下，有仇豈可不報?」長子孫策曰：「如父親必欲往，兒願隨行。」堅許之，遂與策登舟，殺奔樊城。

Just prior to Jian's departure, Jing brought forward all of Jian's sons and had them pay obeisance by order of age in front of Jian's horse. Jing then admonished Jian, saying, "Dong Zhuo is now monopolizing all power, and the Son of Heaven is cowardly and weak. The nation is in chaos, and everyone has made a grab for their own turf. The eastern bank of the Yangtze has only recently been pacified.^[1] Raising such a massive army over a minor slight wouldn't be prudent. Older brother, I hope that you take that into consideration." Jian said, "Younger brother, you will say no more. I must have license to do as I please anywhere in the country; in light of that, how can I not avenge a slight?" Sun Ce, Jian's oldest son, said, "Father, if you must go, I will accompany you. After all, I am your son." Jian gave his consent, and then boarded the war junk, along with Ce. Together, they set their sights on attacking Fancheng.

22

　　黃祖伏弓弩手於江邊，見船傍岸，亂箭俱發。堅令諸軍不可輕動，只伏於船中來往誘之；一連三日，船數十次傍岸。黃祖軍只顧放箭，箭已放盡。堅卻拔船上所得之箭，約十數萬。當日正值順風，堅令軍士一齊放箭。岸上支持不住，只得退走。

Huang Zu hid his archers on the river bank; when they saw the boats approaching the shore, they let loose with a wild flurry of arrows. Jian ordered his troops to take no rash actions, but rather to hide in the hold of the boats. The boats were to advance and withdraw in order to bait the enemy into firing. Over the course of three days, they approached the shore dozens of times. Huang Zu's army thought of nothing else but shooting their arrows; eventually, they exhausted their supply. Jian ordered his men to fish the hundreds of thousands of arrows out of the water. The winds were favorable on that day; Jian ordered his troops to shoot the arrows in unison. The forces on shore could not hold their ground, and had no choice but to withdraw.

23

　　堅軍登岸，程普、黃蓋，分兵兩路，直取黃祖營寨。背後韓當驅兵大進。三面夾攻，黃祖大敗，棄卻樊城，退入鄧城。堅令黃蓋守住船隻，親自統兵追襲。黃祖引軍出迎，布陣於野。堅列成陣勢，出馬於門旗之下。孫策也全副披掛，挺槍立馬於父側。黃祖引二將出馬：一個是江夏張虎，一個是襄陽陳生。黃祖揚鞭大罵：「江東鼠賊，安敢侵犯漢室宗親境界！」便令張虎搦戰。堅陣內韓當出迎。兩馬相交，戰三十餘合，陳生見張虎力怯，飛馬來助。孫策望見，按住手中槍，扯弓搭箭，正射中陳生面門，應弦落馬。張虎見陳生墜地，吃了一驚，措手不及；被韓當一刀，削去半個腦袋。程普縱馬直來陣前捉黃祖。黃祖棄卻頭盔戰馬，雜於步軍內逃命。孫堅掩殺敗軍，直到漢水，命黃蓋將船隻進泊漢江。

After Jian's army went ashore, Cheng Pu and Huang Gai divided into two forces, and launched a direct assault on Huang Zu's camp. Behind them, Han Dang led the forces bringing up the rear. The three of them staged a pincer attack from three sides. Huang Zu suffered a major defeat, abandoned Fancheng, and withdrew to Dengcheng. Jian ordered Huang Gai to stay with the war junks, then personally led his army on the attack. Huang Zu led out his army in response, and arrayed his troops in a field. Jian arrayed his own battle lines, and then rode out on his horse, passing underneath the banners located at the entrance to his camp. Sun Ce was fully decked out in body armor. Holding his spear, he stopped his horse beside his father. Huang Zu led two of his own generals out onto the field: one was Zhang Hu of Jiangxia; the other was Chen Sheng of Xiangyang. Huang Zu raised his riding crop in the air, and cursed at them, "Bandit vermin from the eastern bank of the Yangtze;^[1] how dare you invade the ancestral lands of the House of Han!" He then ordered Zhang Hu to challenge the enemy to battle. Han Dang emerged from Jian's battle lines in order to meet the challenger. Their two horses engaged, and they fought more than thirty bouts. Chen Sheng saw Zhang Hu was growing weak, so he galloped his horse over in order to lend his assistance. When Sun Ce looked out into the distance and saw what was happening, he stayed the spear in his hand and notched an arrow in his bow. He fired an arrow, which struck Chen Sheng in the face. Chen Sheng fell from his horse in the same instant that one heard the snap of the bowstring. Zhang Hu saw that Chen Sheng had fallen to the ground; he was startled for a moment, and was at a loss as to what to do. Half of his skull was then sliced off by one slash of Han Dang's sword. Cheng Pu spurred his horse into action, and charged his horse directly at Huang Zu. Huang Zu got rid of his helmet and war horse, and waded into his infantry in order to save himself. Sun Jian killed everything in sight, and drove the enemy all the way to the Han River. He then ordered Huang Gai to anchor the war junks in the Han River.

24

　　黃祖聚敗軍，來見劉表，備言堅勢不可當。表慌請蒯良商議。良曰：「目今新敗，兵無戰心；只可深溝高壘，以避其鋒；卻潛令人求救於袁紹，此圍自可解也。」蔡瑁曰：「子柔之言，直拙計也。兵臨城下，將至河邊，豈可束手待斃？某雖不才，願請軍出城，以決一戰。」劉表許之。

Huang Zu gathered up his defeated army, and went to see Liu Biao; he explained in great detail how Jian was an unstoppable force. Biao hastily summoned Kuai Liang to discuss the matter. Liang said, "The army has just suffered a recent loss, and the soldiers no longer have the will to fight. Our only option is to dig in so as to withstand the brunt of the enemy's attack; furthermore, we should secretly send someone to ask Yuan Shao to come to the rescue. It's the only way we will break out of the enemy's encirclement." Cai Mao said, "Zirou's words of advice represent nothing but a foolish plan. The enemy army is just outside the gates of the city, and their general has arrived on the banks of the river. How can we simply fold our hands and helplessly await death? I'm not a man of ability, but I'm willing to lead our army out of the city and fight to the death." Liu Biao gave him permission to try.

25

　　蔡瑁引軍萬餘，出襄陽城外，於峴山布陣。孫堅將得勝之兵，長驅大進。蔡瑁出馬。堅曰：「此人是劉表後妻之兄也，誰與吾擒之？」程普挺鐵脊矛出馬，與蔡瑁交戰。不到數合，蔡瑁敗走。堅驅大軍，殺得尸橫遍野。蔡瑁逃入襄陽。蒯良言瑁不聽良策，以致大敗，按軍法當斬。劉表以新娶其妹，不肯加刑。

Cai Mao led more than ten thousand troops out of the city of Xiangyang, and formed battle lines at Mount Xian.^[22] Sun Jian mounted an advance with his own victorious troops. Cai Mao took to the battlefield on his horse. Jian said, "This man is the older brother of Liu Biao's concubine; who will capture him for me?" Cheng Pu raised his iron-ridged long lance, and rode out on his horse to take on Cai Mao. After not more than a few bouts, Cai Mao fled in defeat. Jian pushed his army forward, killing everyone in sight, until dead corpses blanketed the countryside. Cai Mao fled into Xiangyang. Kuai Liang accused Mao of not heeding a good strategy, which led to a major defeat; Liang went on to say that, according to military law, Mao should be beheaded. Liu Biao was unwilling to carry out the sentence, because Biao had recently married Mao's younger sister.

26

　　卻說孫堅分兵四面，圍住襄陽攻打。忽一日，狂風驟起，將中軍帥字旗杆吹折。韓當曰：「此非吉兆，可暫班師。」堅曰：「吾屢戰屢勝，取襄陽只在旦夕；豈可因風折旗杆，遽爾罷兵！」遂不聽韓當之言，攻城愈急。蒯良謂劉表曰：「某夜觀天象，見一將星欲墜。以分野度之，當應在孫堅。主公可即速致書袁紹，求其相助。」

Let us now turn to Sun Jian, who had dispersed his army in four directions in order to surround and attack Xiangyang. One day, a violent wind suddenly arose, the force of which snapped the flagstaff of the Army of the Center in half. The flagstaff had been flying a banner with the word "general" on it. Han Dang said, "This is not a good omen; we should temporarily stand down our army." Jian said, "I have fought and won many battles; it is only a matter of days before we take Xiangyang. Why would I stand down my army, just because a strong wind broke a flagstaff in half!" Accordingly, he did not heed the words of Han Dang, and attacked the city with even greater urgency. Kuai Liang told Liu Biao, "I have been observing phenomenon in the nighttime sky, and have noticed that the General Star will soon descend. By dividing the nighttime sky into regions, one can see that this should correspond to Sun Jian. Your Excellency, you must immediately send a letter to Yuan Shao, asking him for assistance."

27

　　劉表寫書問誰敢突圍而出。健將呂公應聲願往，蒯良曰：「汝既敢去，可聽吾計，與汝軍馬五百，多帶能射者衝出陣去，即奔峴山。他必引軍來趕，汝分一百人上山，尋石子準備；一百人執弓弩伏於林中。但有追兵到時，不可逕走；可盤旋曲折，引到埋伏之處，矢石俱發。若能取勝，放起連珠號砲，城中便出接應。如無追兵，不可放砲，趕程而去。今夜月不甚明，黃昏便可出城。」

Liu Biao wrote a letter asking who would be daring enough to break out of the encirclement. His powerful general Lü Gong responded to the call and volunteered to go. Kuai Liang said, "Since you are daring enough to go, you should listen to my plan. I will give you five hundred horses and men. Make sure that you bring extra archers, then push through their battle lines and make your way to Mount Xian. They will almost certainly lead their army in pursuit, at which point, you will dispatch one hundred of your men to climb up the mountain. There, they should prepare themselves by searching for rocks and stones. Another one hundred men should take their bows and crossbows, and hide in the forest. The instant the pursuing army arrives, the rest of your men should not depart in a straight line. Rather, they should wind their way up the mountain, making their way to the ambush spot. Once there, let the enemy have it with all of your rocks and arrows. If you manage to obtain a victory, launch a bunch of flares, and we will exit the city and join forces with you. In the event that the enemy does not give chase, hurry up and leave the area without launching any flares. The moon is not very bright tonight; you can leave the city at dusk."

28

　　呂公領了計策，拴束軍馬。黃昏時分，密開東門，引兵出城。孫堅在帳中，忽聞喊聲，急上馬引三十餘騎，出營來看。軍士報說：「有一彪人馬殺將出來，望峴山而去。」堅不會諸將，只引三十餘騎趕來。呂公已於山林叢雜去處，上下埋伏。堅馬快，單騎獨來，前軍不遠。堅大叫：「休走！」呂公勒回馬來戰孫堅。交馬只一合，呂公便走，閃入山路去。堅隨後趕入，卻不見呂公。堅方欲上山，忽然一聲鑼響，山上石子亂下，林中亂箭齊發。堅身中石箭，腦漿迸流，人馬皆死於峴山之內；壽止三十七歲。

After Lü Gong received the plan, he gathered his men. At dusk, he stealthily opened the eastern gate, and led his troops out of the city. Sun Jian was in his tent, when he suddenly heard the sound of men shouting; he quickly mounted his horse and led 30 or more mounted troops out of camp in order to see what was happening. A soldier reported, "There is a group of soldiers and horses that charged out of the city, and are headed toward Mount Xian." Jian did not convene his generals; instead, he simply led his 30 or more mounted troops in pursuit. Lü Gong was already located in a forested area of the mountain, which was thick with overgrowth. There, his men spread out and hid in ambush. Jian's horse was fast; he was out in front by himself, with his lead force not far behind. Jian yelled out, "Halt!" Lü Gong wheeled his horse around, and engaged in battle with Sun Jian. The two men only fought one bout on their horses, before Lü Gong rode off on a mountain path. Jian followed close on his heels, but did not see Lü Gong. As soon as Jian went up the mountain, a sudden cacophony of war gongs rang out. Stones rained down on him from higher on the mountain, and arrows were launched in unison from the forest. Jian was struck by the stones and arrows, and his brain fluid came gushing out. Both man and horse died on Mount Xian, Sun Jian was just 37 years old.^[23]

29

　　呂公截住三十騎，並皆殺盡，放起連珠號砲。城中黃祖、蒯越、蔡瑁，分頭引兵殺出，江東諸軍大亂。黃蓋聽得喊聲震天，引水軍殺來，正迎著黃祖。戰不兩合，生擒黃祖。程普保著孫策，急待尋路，正遇呂公。程普縱馬向前，戰不到數合，一矛刺呂公於馬下。兩軍大戰，殺到天明，各自收軍。劉表軍自入城。孫策回到漢水，方知父親被亂箭射死，屍首已被劉表軍士扛抬入城去了，放聲大哭。眾軍俱號泣。策曰：「父屍在彼，安得回鄉！」黃蓋曰：「今活捉黃祖在此，得一人入城講和，將黃祖去換主公屍首。」

Lü Gong intercepted the 30 mounted troops, killed all of them, then launched a series of flares. From inside the city, Huang Zu, Kuai Yue and Cai Mao split up and went out on the attack. The entire army from the eastern bank of the Yangtze^[1] was in disarray. Once Huang Gai heard the screaming and shouting, he led his water-based army on the attack, at which point, he ran into Huang Zu. They had not fought two bouts, when Huang Zu was captured alive. Cheng Pu was protecting Sun Ce, hastily looking for an escape route, when he ran into Lü Gong. Cheng Pu galloped forward. After not more than a few bouts, he stabbed Lü Gong with his lance, causing him to fall from his horse. The two armies engaged in a major battle, fighting until dawn, before both sides withdrew. Liu Biao's army entered into the city. It was not until Sun Ce returned to the Han River, that he found out that his father had been killed by stray arrows, and that his corpse had been carried into the city by Liu Biao's army. He began to sob and wail. The entire army then began to shed tears. Ce said, "How can I ever return home, when my father's body is here!" Huang Gai said, "We have captured Huang Zu alive. We must have someone go into the city and sue for peace. We can exchange Huang Zu for His Excellency's body."

30

　　言未畢，軍吏桓階出曰：「某與劉表有舊，願入城為使。」策許之。桓階入城見劉表，具說其事。表曰：「文臺屍首，吾已用棺木盛貯於此。可速放回黃祖，兩家各罷兵，再休侵犯。」桓階拜謝欲行，階下蒯良出曰：「不可！不可！吾有一言，令江東諸軍片甲不回。請先斬桓階，然後用計。」正是：追敵孫堅方殞命，求和桓階又遭殃。未知桓階性命如何，且聽下文分解。

Before he had finished speaking, a military officer named Huan Jie stepped out and said, "I go back a ways with Liu Biao; I am willing to enter the city as an envoy." Ce granted him permission. Huan Jie entered the city to see Liu Biao, and stated his case. Biao said, "I have already interred Wentai's body in a coffin here. You must quickly return Huang Zu, so that both sides can stand down our armies, and not encroach upon each other's territory." Huan Jie expressed his thanks and was about to leave, when Kuai Liang emerged from underneath the base of the steps, saying, "Unacceptable! Unacceptable! I have something to say; we must see to it that the army from the eastern bank of the Yangtze^[1] is completely defeated. I request that Huan Jie first be beheaded; after that, we can come up with a plan of action." It was a case of:

Pursuing the enemy, Sun Jian had no sooner lost his life, than Huan Jie met his end while pursuing peace.

Don't know whether Huan Jie survived? Keep reading, and all will be explained.

---

Notes

1. Between Wuhu and Nanjing, the Yangtze River flows north to south. The east side of the river is on the southern bank.
2. This person actually existed, but his real name was Min Chun (閔純). In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the name Min Chun was changed to Guan Chun (關純).
3. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, 50 li would have been 20.79 km (~12.91059 miles).
4. after having been forced off of the bridge by Wen Chou
5. One chi was approximately 23.1 cm, eight chi was approximately 1.848 meters (6.063288 feet).
6. Literal meaning: child dragon
7. Normally, the senior general (大將) would have been in charge of the Army of the Center. However, since Gongsun Zan placed senior general Yan Gang on point, Gongsun Zan personally took command of the Army of the Center.
8. The Chinese character for "general" is 帥.
9. 7:00am to 9:00am
10. 9:00am to 11:00am
11. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, five li would have been 2.079 km (~1.2918906 miles).
12. One li was approximately 415.8 meters, 100 li would have been 41.58 km (~25.837812 miles)
13. equivalent in rank to a commandery governor.
14. see: Chapter 6#18.
15. Literal meaning: auspicious eldest brother
16. Literal meaning: second brother who plots great things
17. Literal meaning: father's younger brother, who lends assistance
18. Literal meaning: younger brother who lends assistance
19. Literal meaning: morning peace
20. Literal meaning: public propriety
21. Literal meaning: esteemed younger brother
22. Mount Xian is south of Xiangyang.
23. Sun Jian was probably closer to 36 years old at the time of his death. In the traditional Chinese age system, a year is added because of the gestation time in the womb. (see: East Asian age reckoning)