1
袁紹 〈下〉
Yuan Shao. 〈Part Two.〉
2
譚自稱車騎將軍，出軍黎陽。 尚少與其兵，而使逢紀隨之。 譚求益兵，審配等又議不與。 譚怒，殺逢紀。
Yuan Tan proclaimed himself General of Chariots and Cavalry and led his troops to Liyang. Yuan Shang allotted him scant forces and assigned Feng Ji to go with him. When Yuan Tan asked for more men, Shen Pei and his faction met again and refused. Enraged, Yuan Tan had Feng Ji put to death.
3
曹操度河攻譚，譚告急於尚，尚乃留審配守鄴，自將助譚，與操相拒於黎陽。
Cao Cao crossed the Yellow River to strike Yuan Tan, who urgently appealed to Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang left Shen Pei to hold Ye, took command himself to reinforce his brother, and opposed Cao Cao at Liyang.
4
自九月至明年二月，大戰城下，[一]譚、尚敗退。 操將圍之，乃夜遁還鄴。 操進軍，尚逆擊破操，操軍還許，譚謂尚曰：「我鎧甲不精，故前為曹操所敗。 今操軍退，人懷歸志，及其未濟，出兵掩之，可令大潰，此策不可失也。」 尚疑而不許，既不益兵，又不易甲。 譚大怒，郭圖、辛評因此謂譚曰：「使先公出將軍為兄後者，皆是審配之所構也。」 譚然之。 遂引兵攻尚，戰於外門。 [二]譚敗，乃引兵還南皮。 [三]注[一]郭緣生《述征記》曰：「黎陽城西袁譚城，城南又有一城，是曹公攻譚之所築。」
From the ninth month through the second month of the following year they fought fiercely under the city walls; Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were beaten back. As Cao Cao was closing in to besiege them, they slipped away by night and returned to Ye. Cao Cao pressed forward, but Yuan Shang counterattacked and routed him, so Cao's army fell back to Xu. Yuan Tan told Yuan Shang, "My armor was poor—that is why Cao Cao defeated me before. Now that Cao's men are retreating, every soldier is thinking of home. Strike them before they finish the crossing and you can shatter them utterly. We cannot let this chance slip." Yuan Shang hesitated and refused: he sent no reinforcements and issued no new armor. Yuan Tan was furious. Guo Tu and Xin Ping seized the moment to tell him, "Shen Pei is the one who arranged for your late father to pass you over in favor of your elder brother." Yuan Tan believed them. He then marched against Yuan Shang and gave battle at the outer gate of the city wall. Yuan Tan lost the fight and withdrew his army to Nanpi. Commentary, note 1: Guo Yuansheng's Record of Campaigns states: "west of Liyang lies Yuan Tan's enclosure, and south of the city stands another rampart that Cao Cao threw up during his campaign against Yuan Tan."
5
注[二]郛郭之門。
Commentary, note 2: the gate in the outer rampart.
6
注[三]南皮，今滄州縣也。 章武有北皮亭，故此曰南皮。
Commentary, note 3: Nanpi is in present-day Cangzhou prefecture. Because Zhangwu district has a Beipi pavilion, this place is called Nanpi, "South Pi."
7
別駕王修率吏人自青州往救譚，譚還欲更攻尚，問修曰：「計將安出？」 修曰：
Adjutant Administrator Wang Xiu brought officials and men from Qingzhou to Yuan Tan's relief. Yuan Tan then wanted to strike Yuan Shang again and asked Wang Xiu, "What course should we take? Wang Xiu replied:
8
「兄弟者，左右手也。 譬人將□而斷其右手，曰『我必勝若』，如是者可乎？ 夫□兄弟而不親，天下其誰親之？ 屬有讒人交□其閒，以求一朝之利，願塞耳勿聽也。 若斬佞臣數人，復相親睦，以御四方，可橫行於天下。」 譚不從。 尚復自將攻譚，譚戰大敗，嬰城固守。 [一]尚圍之急，譚奔平原，而遣穎川辛毗詣曹操請救。 [二]注[一]《前書》蒯通曰：「必將嬰城固守。」 音義曰：「嬰謂以城自繞也。」
"Brothers are a man's two hands. It is as if a man about to go into battle hacked off his own right hand and cried, 'Now I am bound to win!' Could anything be more absurd? If you spurn your own brothers, whom under heaven would you treat as kin? Petty men have lately come between you to profit from a single morning's quarrel; I pray you shut your ears and pay them no heed. Execute a handful of flatterers, heal the breach between you, and face the realm together—you could stride anywhere under heaven unopposed." Yuan Tan would not hear of it. Yuan Shang took the field once more against his brother. Yuan Tan suffered a crushing defeat and pulled back behind his walls. As Yuan Shang tightened the siege, Yuan Tan fled to Pingyuan and dispatched Xin Pi of Yingchuan to beg Cao Cao for aid. Commentary, note 1: The Han Shu records Kuai Tong saying, "They will certainly cling to their walls and hold fast. The Sounds and Meanings gloss explains ying as "to coil the city around oneself like a belt."
9
注[二]魏志曰：「辛毗，穎川陽翟人也。 譚使毗詣太祖求和，毗見太祖致譚意。
Commentary note [two]: The Wei Records says: "Xin Pi was a man of Yangzhai in Yingchuan. Yuan Tan sent Xin Pi to the imperial protector to sue for peace, and Xin Pi laid out Yuan Tan's terms.
10
太祖悅，謂毗曰：『譚可信，尚必可克不？』 毗對曰：『明公無問信與詐也，直* (言) *當論其埶耳。 袁氏本兄弟相伐，非謂他人能閒其閒，乃謂天下可定於己也。 一旦求救於明公，此可知也。』」 劉表以書諫譚曰：
The protector was pleased and asked Xin Pi, "Can we trust Yuan Tan? And can Yuan Shang be broken?" Xin Pi answered, "My lord, set aside the question of sincerity—simply (Explanation) consider how the balance of power lies. The Yuan clan tore at one another not because outsiders could drive a wedge, but because each brother imagined he alone could master the empire. Now that one of them pleads for your help, the truth is plain. With Xin Pi's audience concluded, Liu Biao addressed a letter of remonstrance to Yuan Tan:
11
天降災害，禍難殷流，初交殊族，卒成同盟，使王室震盪，彝倫攸斁。 [一]是以智達之士，莫不痛心入骨，傷時人不能相忍也。 然孤與太公，志同願等，[二]雖楚魏絕邈，山河迥遠，[三]戮力乃心，共□王室，[四]使非族不干吾盟，異類不絕吾好，此孤與太公無貳之所致也。 功績未卒，太公殂隕，賢胤承統，以繼洪業。 宣奕世之德，履丕顯之祚，[五]摧嚴敵於鄴都，揚休烈於朔土，顧定疆宇，虎視河外，凡我同盟，莫不景附。 何悟青蠅飛於竿旌，無忌游於二壘，[六]使股肱分成二體，匈膂絕為異身。 初聞此問，尚謂不然，定聞信來，乃知閼伯、實沈之忿已成，□親即讎之計已決，[七]旃□交於中原，暴屍累於城下。 聞之哽咽，若存若亡。 昔三王、五伯，下及戰國，君臣相弒，父子相殺，兄弟相殘，親戚相滅，蓋時有之。 然或欲以成王業，[八]或欲以定霸功，[九]皆所謂逆取順守，而徼富強於一世也。
Heaven sends calamity; misfortune spreads unchecked. Men of different houses who first stood apart and then swore alliance have convulsed the royal house and shattered the moral order. Every thoughtful observer feels the grief down to the bone and mourns that our contemporaries cannot endure one another. Yet your father and I were of one mind and one purpose: though Jingzhou and Ji province stood far apart, we bent every effort to uphold the house of Han, kept outsiders from breaking our league, and barred barbarians from sundering our friendship—that was the single-hearted compact between your father and me. That great work was still unfinished when your father passed away; worthy sons took up his mandate to carry the enterprise forward. They unfolded virtues piled up over generations and walked in a dazzling mandate: they shattered a dreaded foe at Ye, spread glorious deeds across the northern plain, steadied the borders, and glared beyond the river while every ally rallied to them in awe. Who could have foreseen slanderers lighting on your banners like bluebottle flies, or a Wuji flitting between two camps—twin arms torn from one torso, heart and backbone turned against each other? When I first heard the rumor I hoped it was false; credible messengers have since convinced me that the feud of Ebo and Shenshi is upon you, that kinsmen have resolved to meet as foes, that war drums roll across the heartland, and that the dead lie heaped below your walls. The news leaves me speechless with sorrow, half convinced I am dreaming. From the Three Dynasties and Five Hegemons through the Warring States, rulers murdered ministers, fathers slew sons, brothers cut one another down, and whole clans were erased—history knows such seasons. Yet some pursued legitimate kingship, others hegemonic sway—all aimed at winning power by bold strokes and keeping it by righteousness, and sought lasting strength for their age.
12
未有□親即異，兀其根本，而能全於長世者也。 注[一]左傳曰：「震盪播越。」 書曰：「彝倫攸斁。」 彝，常也。 倫，理也。 攸，所也。 斁，敗也。
No house that casts off blood ties and hacks at its own roots has endured for generations. Commentary, note 1: the Zuo Commentary reads, "They convulsed the altars and fled abroad." The Documents adds, "The eternal moral pattern was thrown into ruin." Yi means "constant." Lun means "ordering principle." You is the classical particle for "thereby" or "whereby." Yi means "to ruin" or "to overthrow."
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注[二]言太公者尊之，謂紹也。
Commentary, note 2: the title "Grand Duke" is an honorific for Yuan Shao.
14
注[三]楚，荊州也。 魏，冀州也。
Commentary, note 3: "Chu" here means Jing province. "Wei" stands for Ji province in the north.
15
注[四]左傳曰：「同好惡，□王室。」 杜預曰：「□，助也。」
Commentary, note 4: the Zuo Commentary counsels men to "share loves and hates and jointly sustain the house of Zhou." Du Yu glosses the missing graph as "to aid."
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注[五]奕，重也，國語曰「奕代載德」。
Commentary, note 5: yi means "layer upon layer"; the Discourses speaks of "age after age laden with virtue."
17
注[六]詩小雅曰：「營營青蠅，止於榛。 讒人罔極，構我二人。」 史記，費無忌得寵於楚平王，為太子建少傅，無寵於太子，日夜讒太子於王，欲誅太子。 太子亡奔宋。 左傳作「無極」。 竿旌、二壘者，謂譚、尚也。
Commentary, note 6: the "Blueflies" poem runs, "Buzzing bluebottles settle on the hazel hedge. Scheming men know no restraint; they set the two of us at odds." The Records relate how Fei Wuji curried favor with King Ping of Chu, served as junior tutor to Crown Prince Jian yet earned no trust from him, and ceaselessly poisoned the king's ear until he sought the prince's death. The crown prince fled to Song for his life. The Zuo Commentary writes "Wuji." The "pennants" and "twin camps" stand for Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang.
18
注[七]左傳子產曰：「高辛氏有二子，伯曰閼伯，季曰實沈，居於曠林，不相能也，日尋干戈，以相征討。」
Commentary, note 7: "Zichan recalled Gaoxin's two sons Ebo and Shenshi, who dwelt in the wildwood, loathed each other, and fought endlessly—the prototype of fraternal strife."
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注[八]若周公誅管、蔡之類。
Commentary, note 8: compare the Duke of Zhou's punishment of Guan and Cai.
20
注[九]若齊桓公殺子糾也。
Commentary, note 9: as Duke Huan of Qi executed his rival Prince Jiu.
21
昔齊襄公報九世之讎，[一]士□卒荀偃之事，是故春秋美其義，君子稱其信。
When Duke Xiang of Qi settled a blood feud nine reigns deep—as in the sequel of Shi Gai (text defective) and Xun Yan—the Spring and Autumn honored the deed and gentlemen praised his steadfast purpose.
22
夫伯游之恨於齊，未若太公之忿於曹也； 宣子之臣承業，未若仁君之繼統也。 [二]且君子違難不適讎國，交絕不出惡聲，[三]況忘先人之讎，□親戚之好，而為萬世之戒，遺同盟之恥哉！ 蠻夷戎狄將有誚讓之言，況我族類，而不痛心邪！
Xun Yan's vendetta against Qi cannot weigh against your father's rage toward Cao Cao; nor can Zhao Dun's ministers, carrying forward his work, compare with you who have inherited a humane father's mandate. [Two] Men of honor who flee peril never shelter with their foes; when friendship ends they leave no bitter words—[three] how then could you cast aside your father's vendetta, break faith with kinsmen, invite everlasting reproach, and shame every ally who stood with you? Barbarians on every frontier will sneer at such conduct—how could men of our own stock feel anything but anguish?
23
注[一]公羊傳曰：「紀侯大去其國。 大去者何？ 滅之也。 孰滅之也？ 齊滅之。 曷為不言齊滅之？ 為襄公諱也。 春秋為賢者諱。 何賢於襄公？ 復讎也。 何讎爾？ 遠祖也。 哀公烹於周，紀侯譖之。 遠祖者幾代？ 九代矣。」 史記曰，紀侯譖齊哀公於周，周夷王烹哀公。 其弟靜立，是為胡公。 弟獻公立，子武公立，子厲公立，子文公立，子成公立，子莊公立，子厘公立，子襄公八年，紀遷去其邑，是為九代也。
Commentary, note 1: the Gongyang Commentary asks why "Marquis Ji of Ji abandoned his state in great exodus. What does "great departure" signify? It means his state was extinguished. Who destroyed it? Qi did. Why does the text not say outright that Qi destroyed Ji? To shield Duke Xiang from blame. The classic softens language on behalf of worthy men. What merit earns Duke Xiang such tact? He avenged an ancient wrong. What grievance? A wrong done to a remote forebear. Duke Ai of Qi was boiled alive at the Zhou court because Marquis Ji of Ji slandered him. How many generations lay between them? Nine reigns." The Records record that Marquis Ji maligned Duke Ai of Qi before the Zhou king, and King Yi executed Duke Ai by boiling. Duke Ai's brother Jing succeeded him as Duke Hu of Qi. Then came Duke Xian, Duke Wu, Duke Li, Duke Wen, Duke Cheng, Duke Zhuang, Duke Xi, and finally Duke Xiang in whose eighth year Ji abandoned its seat—nine reigns in all.
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注[二]荀偃，晉大夫也。 左傳曰，荀偃將中軍，士□佐之，伐齊。 濟河，病目出，及卒，而視不可唅。 欒盈曰：「其為未卒事於齊故也？」 士□撫之曰：「主苟終，所不嗣事於齊有如河！」 乃瞑受含。 伯游，荀偃字也。 宣子即士□也，士燮之子，士會之孫。
Commentary, note 2: Xun Yan served as a Jin minister. The Zuo Commentary records that Xun Yan commanded the center army with Shi [character missing in text] as his lieutenant in the attack on Qi. After crossing the Yellow River his illness bulged his eyes; he died with lids that could not be shut for the funeral rites. Luan Ying asked, "Is it because his business in Qi remained unfinished?" Shi [character missing in text] pressed his hand on the corpse and swore, "If my lord truly passes from me, may I never again serve Qi—let the Yellow River be my witness!" Only then could his eyes be closed and the burial jade placed between his teeth. Bo You was the style of Xun Yan. "Xuanzi" is Shi Gai (lacuna in text), son of Shi Xie and grandson of Shi Hui.
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注[三]左傳曰，公山不狃曰：「君子違難不適讎國。」 杜預曰：「違，奔亡也。」 史記樂毅遺燕惠王書曰：「臣聞古之君子，交絕不出惡聲。」
Commentary, note 3: the Zuo Commentary quotes Gongshan Buniu—"When a gentleman flees disaster he does not seek refuge among enemies." Du Yu glosses wei as "to flee for one's life." The Records preserves Yue Yi's letter to King Hui of Yan: "Ancient gentlemen, they say, parted without bitter speech."
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夫欲立竹帛於當時，全宗祀於一世，豈宜同生分謗，爭校得失乎？ 若冀州有不弟之□，[一]無籩順之節，仁君當降志辱身，以濟事為務。 事定之後，使天下平其曲直，不亦為高義邪？ 今仁君見憎於夫人，未若鄭莊之於姜氏； 昆弟之嫌，未若重華之於象敖。
Men who hope to leave a name on the histories and keep their line alive for a generation ought not tear one another apart over petty blame—surely they should not? Should Ji province prove wanting as a younger brother—lacking the deference shown at the ceremonial mats—the humane lord must swallow pride and bend his knee until the crisis is resolved. Once peace returns, let the empire judge who was right—would that not be the nobler course? Even if your mother turns against you, the breach cannot rival Duke Zhuang of Zheng and Lady Jiang; nor can fraternal estrangement exceed what Shun endured from Xiang Ao.
27
然莊公卒崇大隧之樂，像敖終受有鼻之封。 願捐□百痾，追攝舊義，復為母子昆弟如初。 [二]今整勒士馬，瞻望鵠立。 注[一]左傳曰：「段不弟，故不言弟。」
Yet Duke Zhuang found reconciliation in the great tunnel, and Xiang Ao—however cruel—still received the fief at Youbi. Cast off every old grievance, reclaim the bonds you once shared, and let mothers and sons and brothers be as they were. [Two] I have marshaled troops and stand tall as a heron on watch, awaiting your answer. Commentary, note 1: the Zuo Commentary explains that Duan "was no younger brother," hence the classic withholds the title.
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注[二]鄭武公娶於申，曰武姜，生莊公及叔段。 莊公寤生，驚姜氏，遂惡之，愛叔段，欲立之，武公弗許。 及莊公立，姜氏為請京，使居之。 段繕甲兵，將襲鄭，夫人將啟之。 莊公遂寘姜氏於城穎，而誓之曰：「不及黃泉，無相見也。」 既而悔之。 穎考叔曰：「君何患焉？ 若闕地及泉，隧而相見，其誰曰不然！」 從之。 公入而賦：「大隧之中，其樂也融融。」 姜出而賦：「大隧之外，其樂也洩洩。」 遂為母子如初。 事見左傳。 史記曰，舜名重華。 父瞽叟盲而舜母死，瞽叟更娶妻，生象。 瞽叟愛後妻子，常欲殺舜。 舜踐帝位，封弟象為諸侯。 孟子曰：「象至不仁，封諸有鼻。 仁人之於其弟也，不藏怒焉，不宿怨焉，親愛之而已矣。」 鼻國在永州營道縣北，今猶謂之鼻亭。
Commentary, note 2: Duke Wu of Zheng took a bride from Shen called Wu Jiang; she bore Duke Zhuang and his younger brother Duan. Duke Zhuang's breech birth frightened Lady Jiang, who came to loathe him while doting on Duan and wishing to make him heir—Duke Wu refused. After Zhuang succeeded, Lady Jiang secured the town of Jing for Duan as his seat. Duan readied arms for a strike on the capital while his mother promised to open the gates. Zhuang banished his mother to Chengying and swore, "Not until we meet below the yellow springs shall we look upon each other again. He soon repented of his oath. Ying Kaoshu asked, "What troubles you, my lord? Dig down to the spring line and meet your mother in the tunnel—who will call that breaking your vow?" The duke followed his counsel. Entering the tunnel, the duke sang, "Here in the great passage joy flows warm." Lady Jiang answered from without, "Beyond the great passage joy runs free." Mother and son were reconciled as before. The story appears in the Zuo Commentary. The Records give Shun's second name as Chonghua. His father Gusou was blind; after Shun's mother died Gusou remarried and fathered Xiang. Gusou doted on his second family and repeatedly tried to murder Shun. When Shun took the throne he still ennobled Xiang as a regional lord. Mencius says: "Xiang was supremely unkind—he was enfeoffed at Youbi. A humane ruler feels no lasting wrath toward a brother and bears no overnight grudge—he simply loves him." The polity of Bi lay north of Yingdao in Yongzhou—locals still call the site Bi Pavilion.
29
又與尚書諫之，並不從。 [一]注[一]《魏氏春秋》載表遺尚書曰：「知變起辛、郭，禍結同生，追閼伯、實沈之蹤，忘常棣死喪之義，親尋干戈，殭屍流血，聞之哽咽，若存若亡。 昔軒轅有涿鹿之戰，周公有商、奄之師，皆所以翦除穢害而定王業，非強弱之爭，喜怒之忿也。 故雖滅親不尤，誅兄不傷。 今二君初承洪業，纂繼前軌，進有國家傾危之慮，退有先公遺恨之負。 當唯曹是務，唯國是康。 何者？ 金木水火剛柔相濟，然後克得其和，能為人用。 今青州天性峭急，迷於曲直。 仁君度數弘廣，綽然有餘，當以大苞小，以優容劣，先除曹操，以平先公之恨，事定之後，乃議曲直之評，不亦善乎！ 若留神遠圖，克己復禮，當振旅長驅，共□王室。 若迷而不返，遵而無改，則胡夷將有誚讓之言，況我同盟，復能戮力仁君之役哉！ 此韓盧、東郭自困於前，而遺田父之獲者也。 憤躍鶴望，冀聞和同之聲。 若其泰也，則袁族其與漢升降乎！ 如其否也，則同盟永無望矣。」 表二書並見王粲集。
He urged the same course through the Secretariat as well; neither memorial swayed them. [One] Commentary, note 1: the Annals of Wei preserves Liu Biao's memorial to the Secretariat: "You know the quarrel sprang from Xin Ping and Guo Tu, that womb-mates have tied disaster upon themselves, that they tread the path of Ebo and Shenshi and forget the cherry-tree ode's lesson on mourning kin—that brothers take up arms themselves and corpses litter the field. The tale sticks in my throat; I scarce know whether I breathe or no. The Yellow Emperor fought at Zhuolu; the Duke of Zhou campaigned against Shang and Yan—all to purge wickedness and secure the kingship, not schoolyard quarrels born of pique. Hence extirpating kin draws no reproach when duty demands it, and striking down an elder brother need not rend the heart when justice requires it. You two have barely mounted your father's enterprise: advance, and the dynasty totters; fall back, and your father's vendetta goes unavenged. Your sole business must be Cao Cao; your sole aim the realm's safety. Why? Metal, wood, water, and fire need hard and soft in balance before they harmonize and serve human ends. Qingzhou is rash by temperament and blind to who is right. You, my lord, are generous and far-sighted: shelter the lesser brother with the greater, indulge fault with merit. Destroy Cao Cao first to satisfy your father's ghost; once peace holds, let the world debate who was wrong—could any course be wiser? If you think ahead, master yourselves, and return to ritual, raise your hosts and ride hard to aid the house of Han together. If you stay lost, cling to error, and refuse reform, even barbarians will mock you—how could your allies ever again march for you? You would become the hound Han Lu and the hare of Dongguo—exhausting each other until some peasant bags you both. I pace like a crane on watch, desperate for word that you have made peace. If matters mend, the Yuan may yet rise and fall with the house of Han. If not, your allies will never again place hope in you." Both of Liu Biao's letters are preserved in Wang Can's literary collection.
30
九年三月，尚使審配守鄴，復攻譚於平原。 配獻書於譚曰：「配聞良藥苦口而利於病，忠言逆耳而便於行。 [一]願將軍緩心抑怒，終省愚辭。 蓋春秋之義，國君死社稷，忠臣死君命。 [二]苟圖危宗廟，剝亂國家，親□一也。 [三]是以周公垂涕以* (斃) **[蔽]*管、蔡之獄，[四]季友歔欷而行叔牙之誅。 [五]何則？
In the third month of the ninth year of the Jian'an era, Yuan Shang left Shen Pei to hold Ye and again struck Yuan Tan in Pingyuan. Shen Pei wrote to Yuan Tan: "They say effective physic tastes foul yet cures the sick; honest counsel grates the ear yet keeps one upright. [One] I beg you to calm your heart, master your wrath, and hear me through. The Spring and Autumn teaches that rulers die with their altars and ministers die carrying out their orders. [Two] Whoever would imperil the shrines and rip the realm apart—kinsman or outsider—is alike condemned. [Three] That is why the Duke of Zhou wept even as he dealt with Guan and Cai. (execute) —resolved the trials of Guan and Cai; [four] Jiyou wept aloud when he executed Shuya. [Five] Why?
31
義重人輕，事不獲已故也。 昔先公廢黜將軍以續賢兄，立我將軍以為嫡嗣，上告祖靈，下書譜牒，海內遠近，誰不備聞！ 何意凶臣郭圖，妄畫蛇足，[六]曲辭諂媚，交亂懿親。 至令將軍忘孝友之仁，襲閼、沉之多，放兵鈔突，屠城殺吏，冤魂痛於幽冥，創痍被於草棘。 又乃圖獲鄴城，許賞賜秦胡，其財物婦女，豫有分數。 又云：『孤雖有老母，趣使身體完具而已。』 聞此言者，莫不悼心揮涕，使太夫人憂哀憤隔，我州君臣監寐悲歎。 誠拱默以聽執事之圖，則懼違春秋死命之節，詒太夫人不測之患，損先公不世之業。 我將軍辭不獲命，以及館陶之役。 [七]伏惟將軍至孝蒸蒸，發於岐嶷，友於之性，生於自然，章之以聰明，行之以敏達，覽古今之舉措，鶯興敗之征符，輕榮財於糞土，貴名* (高) **[位]*於丘岳。 何意奄然迷沉，墮賢哲之操，[八]積怨肆忿，取破家之禍！ 翹企延頸，待望讎敵，委慈親於虎狼之牙，以逞一朝之志，豈不痛哉！
Duty outweighs affection when no other course remains. Your father set you aside for your worthy elder brother, raised our lord as heir, announced it to the ancestors, entered it in the clan register—the whole empire knows it. Yet villain Guo Tu added feet to the snake—[six] twisted flattery that set noble brothers at war. He made you forget every duty of son and brother, pile outrage upon the feud of Ebo and Shenshi, rampage with arms, sack cities, and butcher officials—the dead groan in the shades and the wounded litter the moors. You plotted to seize Ye and promised plunder to frontier troops—every coin and captive already counted out. You even said, "I still have an aged mother—only keep her alive; that is enough for me." Everyone who heard it wept blood for pity—your mother heartsick with rage and grief, every officer in Ji awake nights groaning. Were we to fold our hands and obey your schemes, we would betray the Spring and Autumn ideal of dying for duty, bring unspeakable sorrow on your mother, and wreck your father's incomparable legacy. Our lord could not decline his orders forever—hence the battle at Guantao. [Seven] You were famed for filial devotion from boyhood, gentle toward brothers by native temper, sharpened by wit, versed in history's precedents, alert to omens of fortune—wealth you counted as dust and reputation you prized— (high) —higher than mountain peaks. Who could dream you would sink into folly, betray every noble resolve—[eight] nurse grudge on grudge, and court the ruin of your house? You crane your neck toward enemies while laying your gentle mother between wolves' jaws to gratify a moment's whim—could any sight wound us more?
32
若乃天啟尊心，革圖易慮，則我將軍匍匐悲號於將軍股掌之上，配等亦當□躬布體以聽斧鍎之刑。 如又不悛，禍將及之。 願熟詳吉凶，以賜環玦。」 [九]譚不納。 注[一]孔子家語曰：「忠言逆耳而利於行。」
If Heaven moves you to abandon this war, our lord will weep at your feet and I will stretch out my neck for the executioner. Refuse again and ruin will overtake you. Weigh fortune against disaster and send back ring or broken jade—your answer." [Nine] Yuan Tan spurned the letter. Commentary note [one]: Confucius's School Sayings says: "Loyal words offend the ear but benefit action."
33
注[二]左傳晏嬰曰：「君為社稷死則死之，為社稷亡則亡之。」 又晉解楊曰：「受命以出，有死無隕。 死而成命，臣之祿也。」
Commentary, note 2: "Yan Ying taught that ministers share their lord's death or exile when the altars are at stake." Further Jin's Xie Yang says: "Receiving orders and going forth—there is death but no falling. To die fulfilling one's charge is a minister's reward."
34
注[三]左傳曰「天實剝亂」也。
Commentary, note 3: the Zuo Commentary blames Heaven for "ravaging good order."
35
注[四]左傳曰，鄭子太叔曰：「周公殺管叔，放蔡叔。 夫豈不愛？ 王室故也。」
Commentary, note 4: "Zitaishu of Zheng recalled how the Duke of Zhou executed Guan Shu and exiled Cai Shu. Was it for lack of love? No—for the sake of the royal house."
36
注[五]公羊傳曰：「公子牙卒。 何以不稱弟？ 殺也，為季子諱殺也。 莊公病，叔牙曰：『魯一生一及，君以知之。 慶父存也。』 季子曰：『夫何敢？ 是將為亂！』 和藥而飲之，曰：『公子從吾言而飲此，則可以無為天下戮笑，必有後於魯國。』 誅不避兄弟，君臣之義也。」
Commentary, note 5: the Gongyang Commentary records that "Young lord Ya died. Why not style him "younger brother"? Because he was executed—the classic softens the blow for Jizi's sake. When Duke Zhuang lay dying, Shuya reminded him, "Lu allows succession once by birth and once by seniority—you know the rule. Qingfu still lives. Jizi answered, "How could I presume? That path leads to rebellion! He mixed poison and said, "Drink this for my sake and you spare Lu worldwide ridicule and leave heirs." Execution cannot spare brothers when duty demands—that is the covenant between lord and servant."
37
注[六]戰國策曰：「楚有祠者，賜其舍人酒一琶，相謂曰：『數人飲之不足，一人飲之有餘，請各畫地為蛇，先成者飲酒。』 一人蛇先成，引酒且飲，乃左手持酒，右手畫蛇，曰：『吾能為之足。』 未成，一人蛇成，奪其琶，曰：『蛇固無足，子安能為足？』 遂飲酒。 為蛇足者終亡其酒。」
Commentary, note 6: "the Intrigues tell of Chu retainers given one flask of sacrificial wine; unable to share it fairly they agreed to draw snakes on the ground—the fastest hand would drink. One man finished first and reached for the cup—then added feet to his snake with his free hand, boasting, "I can give it legs. Before he drank, a rival finished and snatched the flask: "Snakes have no feet—what fool draws legs on them? So he drank the wine. The man who drew feet on his snake forfeited the cup in the end."
38
注[七]詒，遺也。 不世猶言非常也。 獻帝春秋曰：「譚尚遂尋干戈，以相征討。 譚軍不利，保於平原，尚乃軍於館陶。 譚擊之敗，尚走保險。 譚追攻之，尚設奇伏大破譚軍，殭屍流血不可勝計。 譚走還平原。」
Commentary, note 7: yi here means "to bequeath" or "to inflict upon." "Unequaled for generations" simply means extraordinary. Annals of Emperor Xian says: "Tan and Shang thereupon sought shields and spears, attacking each other. Yuan Tan faltered and held Pingyuan while Yuan Shang camped at Guantao. Yuan Tan attacked and lost; Yuan Shang withdrew into strong ground. When Yuan Tan pressed the pursuit, Yuan Shang laid an ambush and shattered his army—dead beyond counting littered the field. Yuan Tan fled once more to Pingyuan."
39
注[八]墮音許規反。
Commentary, note 8: duo is pronounced like xu gui (falling tone).
40
注[九]《孫卿子》曰：「絕人以玦，反人以環。」
Commentary, note 9: "Xun Qing taught that one sends a broken jade disk to refuse alliance and a ring to invite return."
41
曹操因此進攻鄴，審配將馮* (札) **[禮]*為內應，開突門內操兵三百餘人。 [一]配覺之，從城上以大石擊門，門閉，入者皆死。 操乃鑿燎圍城，周回四十里，初令淺，示若可越。 配望見，笑而不出爭利。 操一夜浚之，廣深二丈，引漳水以灌之。 自五月至八月，城中餓死者過半。 尚聞鄴急，將軍萬餘人還救城，操逆擊破之。 尚走依曲漳為營，[二]操復圍之，未合，尚懼，遣陰夔、陳琳求降，不聽。 尚還走藍口，[三]操復進，急圍之。 尚將馬延等臨陣降，觿大潰，尚奔中山。 盡收其輜重，得尚印綬節鉞及衣物，以示城中，城中崩沮。 審配令士卒曰：「堅守死戰，操軍疲矣。 幽州方至，何憂無主！」 操出行圍，配伏弩射之，幾中。 [四]以其兄子榮為東門校尉，榮夜開門內操兵，配拒戰城中，生獲配。
Cao Cao pressed the siege of Ye; Shen Pei's officer Feng (Zha) —styled Li—was to open the sally gate from within and admit three hundred of Cao's men. [One] Shen Pei uncovered the plot and hurled a boulder from the wall onto the gate; it slammed shut and trapped every infiltrator inside. Cao threw up a forty-li trench works around Ye, keeping the ditch shallow at first so the defenders might think it fordable. Shen Pei watched and laughed, refusing to sortie for a cheap gain. In one night Cao deepened the trench two ren and diverted the Zhang River to flood it. Between the fifth and eighth months more than half the population starved inside the walls. When Yuan Shang heard Ye's peril he marched back with ten thousand men; Cao intercepted and routed him. Yuan Shang fell back along the Zhang's bend to camp; [two] Cao caught him before the encirclement closed. Yuan Shang panicked and sent Yin Kui and Chen Lin to sue for peace—Cao refused. He fled again toward Lankou; [three] Cao pressed forward and tightened the cordon. General Ma Yan and others capitulated on the field; the Yuan army collapsed and Yuan Shang bolted for Zhongshan. Cao captured the baggage train, Shang's seals, baton, and wardrobe, and paraded them before Ye until morale inside crumbled. Shen Pei told his men, "Hold fast and fight to the death—Cao's troops are exhausted. Relief from Youzhou is almost here—why fear we lack a leader?" When Cao rode the lines to inspect them, Shen Pei's hidden crossbows nearly struck him. [Four] Shen Pei had appointed his nephew Shen Rong captain of the east gate; Rong opened it by night for Cao's men. Shen Pei fought street by street until taken alive.
42
操謂配曰：「吾近行圍，弩何多也？」 配曰：「猶恨其少。」 操曰：「卿忠於袁氏，亦自不得不爾。」 意欲活之。 配意氣壯烈，終無撓辭，見者莫不歎息，遂斬之。
Cao asked Shen Pei, "When I rode the perimeter the other day, why were there so many bolts aimed at me? Shen Pei replied, "I only regret there were not more." Cao said, "Your loyalty to the Yuans forced your hand—I understand." He meant to spare him. Shen Pei faced death unbowed; every witness sighed, yet Cao ordered his execution.
43
[五]全尚母妻子，還其財寶。 高干以并州降，復為刺史。 注[一]《墨子·備突篇》曰「城百步，一突門。 突門用車兩輪，以木朿之塗其上，維置突門內。 度門廣狹之，令人入門四尺，中置窐突，門旁為橐，充醋狀，又置艾。 寇即入，下輪而塞之，鼓橐熏之」也。
[Five] Cao spared Yuan Shang's mother, wives, and children and restored his goods. Gao Gan surrendered Bing province and was reappointed inspector. Commentary, note 1: "Mozi's chapter on sally ports prescribes one gate every hundred paces. Block the tunnel with two cart wheels bound in timber and mud, then suspend them inside the sally gate. Gauge the gateway's width: let attackers advance four chi inside, sink a pit trap mid-passage, mount bellows along the wall shaped like vinegar jars, and heap mugwort. When raiders pour in, drop the wheels to seal the tunnel and pump smoke through the bellows."
44
注[二]漳水之曲。
Commentary, note 2: a bend of the Zhang River.
45
注[三]相州安* (楊) **[陽]*縣界有藍嵯山，與鄴相近，蓋藍山之口。
Commentary, note 3: in Xiang prefecture, An (Yang) —yang—county contains Mount Lancuo near Ye—the mouth of Blue Mountain.
46
注[四]幾音祈。 中音竹仲反。
Commentary, note 4: ji here rhymes with qi. Zhong is read with the bamboo initial and departing tone.
47
注[五]先賢行狀曰：「是日先縛配將詣帳下，辛毗等逆以馬鞭擊其頭，罵之曰：『奴，汝今日真死矣。』 配顧曰：『狗輩！ 由汝曹破冀州，恨不得殺汝。』 太祖既有意活配，配無撓辭，辛毗等號哭不已，乃殺之。」
Commentary, note 5: Conduct of Former Worthies records that Shen Pei was bound first and dragged to headquarters; Xin Pi and others met him with riding crops across the face, shouting, "Dog—you die today for certain. Shen Pei shot back, "Cur!" You rats wrecked Ji—I only regret I cannot kill you myself. Though Cao wished to spare him, Shen Pei would not bend; Xin Pi and his kin howled without end until Cao ordered his death."
48
曹操之圍鄴也，譚復背之，因略取甘陵、安平、勃海、河閒，攻尚於中山。 尚敗，走故安從熙，而譚悉收其觿，還屯龍湊。
While Cao Cao besieged Ye, Yuan Tan broke faith again, seized Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian, and struck Yuan Shang at Zhongshan. Yuan Shang lost and fled to Gu'an to join Yuan Xi; Yuan Tan swallowed his army whole and pulled back to Longcou.
49
十二月，曹操討譚，軍其門。 譚夜遁* (奔) **[走]*南皮，臨清河而屯。 明年正月，急攻之。 譚欲出戰，軍未合而破。 譚被發驅馳，追者意非恆人，趨奔之。 [一]譚墯馬，顧曰：「咄，兒過我，我能富貴汝。」 言未絕口，頭已斷地。 於是斬郭圖等，戮其妻子。 注[一]趨音促。
In the twelfth month Cao Cao marched against Yuan Tan and camped at his gates. Yuan Tan slipped away by night— (flee) —to Nanpi—where he camped along the Qing River. The next year's first month saw furious assaults. Yuan Tan tried to sortie before his lines closed and was shattered. With hair streaming he fled so wildly his pursuers mistook him for someone extraordinary and raced after him. [One] Yuan Tan was thrown from his saddle and cried to the soldier who overtook him, "Boy—let me pass and I will make your fortune. Before he finished speaking his head rolled in the dust. Guo Tu and his faction were beheaded and their families slaughtered. Commentary, note 1: qu here is read cu (urgent).
50
熙、尚為其將焦觸、張南所攻，奔遼西烏桓。 觸自號幽州刺史，驅率諸郡太守令長背袁向曹，陳兵數萬。 殺白馬盟，令曰：「違者斬！」 觿莫敢仰視，各以次歃。 至別駕代郡韓珩，[一]曰：「吾受袁公父子厚恩，今其破亡，智不能救，勇不能死，於義闕矣。 若乃北面曹氏，所不能為也！」 一坐為珩失色。 觸曰：「夫舉大事，當立大義。 事之濟否，不待一人，可卒珩志，以厲事君。」 [二]曹操聞珩節，甚高之，屢辟不至，卒於家。 注[一]珩音行。
Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were attacked by their own officers Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan and fled to the Wuhuan of western Liaoxi. Jiao Chu proclaimed himself inspector of Youzhou, pressed every county magistrate to abandon the Yuans for Cao, and marshaled tens of thousands. They slew a white horse for covenant wine and proclaimed, "Whoever breaks this oath dies! No soldier dared lift his eyes; one by one they tasted the blood. When the cup reached Adjutant Administrator Han Heng of Dai, [one] he declared, "The Yuans heaped kindness on me; now they lie broken and I lack wit to save them or courage to die with them—I fail every duty. As for kneeling to Cao—that I cannot do!" The whole assembly blanched. Jiao Chu replied, "Great ventures rest on great principle. Whether we succeed does not hinge on one man; honor Han Heng's resolve and stiffen loyalty everywhere." [Two] Cao Cao admired Han Heng's integrity and summoned him repeatedly; Han never came and died at home. Commentary, note 1: heng is pronounced like hang.
51
注[二]先賢行狀曰「珩字子佩，代郡人，清粹有雅量。 少喪父母，奉養兄姊，宗族稱悌」也。
Commentary, note 2: "Conduct of Former Worthies calls Han Heng Zip of Dai—pure in character and broad of temper. Orphaned young, he cared for elder siblings and earned the clan's praise for fraternal devotion."
52
高干復叛，執上黨太守，舉兵守壺口關。 [一]十一年，曹操自征干，干乃留其將守城，自詣匈奴求救，不得，獨與數騎亡，欲南奔荊州。 上洛都尉捕斬之。 [二]注[一]潞州上黨縣有壺山口，因其險而置關焉。
Gao Gan rebelled again, seized the governor of Shangdang, and held Hukou Pass. [One] In the eleventh year Cao Cao marched against Gao Gan in person. Gan left a deputy to hold the city and rode to the Xiongnu for aid; refused, he fled south toward Jingzhou with only a handful of horsemen. The commandant of Shangluo ran him down and struck off his head. [Two] Commentary, note 1: Hukou Pass sits on the narrows of Mount Hu in Shangdang county of Lu prefecture.
53
注[二]典論曰：「上洛都尉王琰獲高干，以功封侯。 其妻哭於室，以為琰富貴將更娶妾媵故也。」
Commentary note [two]: Treatise says: "Shangluo commandant Wang Yan captured Gao Gan—with merit enfeoffed marquis. His wife wept indoors, thinking Wang Yan meant to trade her for younger wives now that he was rich and titled."
54
十二年，曹操征遼西，擊烏桓。 尚、熙與烏桓逆操軍，戰敗走，乃與親兵數千人奔公孫康於遼東。 尚有勇力，先與熙謀曰：「今到遼東，康必見我，我獨為兄手擊之，且據其郡，猶可以自廣也。」 康亦心規取尚以為功，乃先置精勇於廄中，然後請尚、熙。 熙疑不欲進，尚強之，遂與俱入。 未及坐，康叱伏兵禽之，坐於凍地。 尚謂康曰：「未死之閒，寒不可忍，可相與席。」 康曰：「卿頭顱方行萬里，何席之為！」 遂斬首送之。
In the twelfth year Cao Cao campaigned into western Liaoxi against the Wuhuan. Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi joined the Wuhuan against Cao, lost, and fled east with a few thousand household guards to Gongsun Kang in Liaodong. Yuan Shang still had fight in him and whispered to Yuan Xi, "Once we reach Liaodong, Kang will receive us—I will strike him down with my own hands, seize his commandery, and carve out a realm. Gongsun Kang planned to deliver Shang's head to Cao; he hid elite troops in his stables before inviting the Yuan brothers inside. Yuan Xi hesitated but Yuan Shang dragged him forward and both stepped in. Before they could sit, Kang barked an order and hidden guards seized them and forced them onto the frozen earth. Yuan Shang told Kang, "While we still breathe this cold is unbearable—give us a mat together. Kang sneered, "Your heads are bound for a journey of ten thousand li—what use is a mat? He beheaded them both and sent the heads south.
55
公孫康
Gongsun Kang.
56
康，遼東人。 父度。 初避吏為玄兔小吏，稍仕。 中平元年，還為本郡守。 在職敢殺伐，郡中名豪與己夙無恩者，遂誅滅百餘家。 因東擊高句驪，西攻烏桓，威行海畔。 時王室方亂，度恃其地遠，陰獨懷幸。 會襄平社生大石丈餘，下有三小石為足，度以為己瑞。 [一]初平元年，乃分遼東為遼西、中遼郡，並置太守，越海收東萊諸縣，為營州刺史，[二]自立為遼東侯、平州牧，追封父延為建義侯。 立漢二祖廟。
Gongsun Kang came from Liaodong. His father was Gongsun Du. He first fled legal trouble by becoming a petty clerk in Xuantu and slowly rose in office. In the first year of Zhongping he became governor of his home commandery. In office he struck without mercy: every powerful clan that had never favored him—more than a hundred households—was extirpated. He struck east against Gaogouli and west against the Wuhuan until his terror ran along the shore. While the court dissolved in chaos, Du trusted his remoteness and secretly harbored ambition. When the Xiangping altar sprouted a stone pillar ten feet tall with three small stones for legs, Du read it as heaven's mandate. [One] In the first year of Chuping he split Liaodong into Liaoxi and Central Liaodong, appointed governors, crossed the sea to seize Donglai counties, styled himself inspector of Ying province, [two] proclaimed himself Marquis of Liaodong and shepherd of Pingzhou, and posthumously ennobled his father Yan as Marquis Jianyi. He erected shrines to the First and Second Founders of Han.
57
承製設□墠於襄平城南，郊祀天地，藉田理兵，乘鸞輅九旒旄頭羽騎。 建安九年，司空曹操表為奮威將軍，封永寧鄉侯。 度死，康嗣，故遂據遼土焉。 注[一]襄平，縣，屬遼東郡，故城在今平州盧龍縣西南。 《魏志》曰：「時襄平延裡社生大石，或謂度曰：『此漢宣帝冠石祥也，裡名與先君同。 社主土地，明當有土地，有三公輔也。』 度益喜。」
Acting on forged credentials he built suburban altars south of Xiangping, sacrificed to Heaven and Earth at the borders, opened the sacred field and reviewed troops, and rode in the nine-banner phoenix car with yak-tail escort and plumed horse guards. In Jian'an 9 Cao Cao secured him the title General Who Inspires Might and Village Marquis of Yongning. When Du died Kang inherited his domain and kept Liaodong. Commentary, note 1: Xiangping county lay in Liaodong commandery; its ruins are southwest of modern Lulong in Pingzhou. Wei Records says: "At that time at Yanli commune in Xiangping a great stone sprouted—someone said to Du: 'This is Han Xuandi's crown-stone omen—the commune name matches your late father's. The altar god governs the soil—a sign you will hold land with three great ministers at your side. Du was overjoyed."
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注[二]為猶置也。
Commentary, note 2: wei here means "to establish."
59
劉表字景升，山陽高平人，魯恭王之後也。 [一]身長八尺餘，姿貌溫偉。 與同郡張儉等俱被訕議，號為「八顧」。 詔書捕案黨人，表亡走得免。 黨禁解，辟大將軍何進掾。 注[一]恭王，景帝子，名余。
Liu Biao (courtesy Jingsheng), a native of Gaoping in Shanyang, descended from Prince Gong of Lu. [One] He stood more than eight chi tall and carried himself with gentle dignity. He and Zhang Jian of his commandery were lampooned together and counted among the "Eight Men Who Turned Heads." When edicts hunted the faction lists he fled and escaped punishment. After the prohibition lifted He Jin recruited him as an aide. Commentary, note 1: Prince Gong was Emperor Jing's son Yu.
60
乃使越遣人誘宗賊帥，至者十五人，皆斬之而襲取其觿。 唯江夏賊張虎、陳坐擁兵據襄陽城，表使越與龐季往譬之，乃降。 江南悉平。 諸守令聞表威名，多解印綬去。 表遂理兵襄陽，以觀時變。
He sent Kuai Yue to lure the clan bandit chiefs; when fifteen came to parley he slew them all and seized their troops. Only Zhang Hu and Chen Zuo of Jiangxia still held Xiangyang until Liu Biao sent Kuai Yue and Pang Ji to talk them down. The land south of the Han River was pacified. County magistrates who heard of Liu Biao's renown mostly surrendered their seals and fled. Liu Biao then exercised his troops at Xiangyang and watched how the times turned.
61
注[一]《王氏譜》曰：「叡字通曜，晉太保祥之伯父也。」 《吳錄》曰：「叡見執，驚曰：『我何罪？』 堅曰：『坐無所知。』 叡窮迫，刮金飲之而死。」
Commentary, note 1: "the Wang genealogy identifies Wang Rui (courtesy Tongyao) as great-uncle of Wang Xiang, later Grand Tutor of Jin." The Wu Records add that when seized Wang Rui cried, "What wrong have I done? Sun Jian answered, "Your guilt is ignorance itself. Cornered, Wang Rui scraped gold leaf, swallowed it, and died."
62
注[二]宗黨共為賊。 注[三]宜城，縣，屬南郡，本鄢，惠帝三年改名宜城。
Commentary, note 2: clans banded together as outlaws. Commentary, note 3: Yicheng in Nan commandery was formerly Yan; Emperor Hui renamed it in his third year.
63
注[四]傅子曰：「越字異度，魏太祖平荊州，與荀彧書曰：『不喜得荊州，喜得異度耳。』」
Commentary, note 4: Fu Xuan quotes Cao Cao's letter to Xun Yu after conquering Jing: "I care less for Jingzhou than for Kuai Yidu."
64
注[五]《漢官儀》曰，荊州管長沙、零陵、桂陽、南陽﹑江* (陵) **[夏]*、武陵、南郡、章陵等是也。
Commentary, note 5: Han Official Regulations lists Jingzhou as covering Changsha, Lingling, Guiyang, Nanyang, Jiang— (ling) —xia—plus Wuling, Nan commandery, Zhangling, and the rest.
65
袁術與其從兄紹有隙，而紹與表相結，故術共孫堅合從襲表。 表敗，堅遂圍襄陽。 會表將黃祖救至，堅為流箭所中死，余觿退走。 [一]及李傕等入長安，冬，表遣使奉貢。 傕以表為鎮南將軍、荊州牧，封成武侯，假節，以為己援。 注[一]《典略》曰：「劉表夜遣將黃祖潛出兵，堅逆與戰，祖敗走，竄峴山中。 堅乘勝夜追祖，祖部兵從竹木閒射堅，殺之。」 《英雄記》：「劉表將呂介將兵緣山向堅，堅輕騎尋山討介，介下兵射中堅頭，應時物故。」 與此不同。
Yuan Shu quarreled with his cousin Yuan Shao, while Shao grew close to Liu Biao—so Shu allied with Sun Jian in a joint strike on Liu Biao. Liu Biao lost the field, and Sun Jian laid siege to Xiangyang. When Liu Biao's general Huang Zu brought relief, a stray arrow killed Sun Jian and his army withdrew. [One] After Li Jue's faction seized Chang'an, Liu Biao sent tribute that winter. Li Jue named him General Who Guards the South and shepherd of Jing, Marquis Wucheng of Cheng, with ceremonial axe—as his ally. Commentary, note 1: "Dianlue describes Huang Zu slipping out by night; Sun Jian engaged him; Zu fled into the Xian hills. Sun Jian pressed the pursuit until Zu's men shot him from cover among bamboo and killed him." Records of Heroes: "Liu Biao general Lu Jie led troops along mountain toward Jian—Jian light cavalry sought mountain attacking Jie—Jie's troops shot struck Jian head—on the spot died." That version disagrees with this narrative.
66
建安元年，驃騎將軍張濟自關中走南陽，因攻穰城，中飛矢而死。 荊州官屬皆賀。 表曰：「濟以窮來，主人無禮，至於交鋒，此非牧意，牧受吊不受賀也。」
In Jian'an 1 Zhang Ji fled Guanzhong to Nanyang, attacked Rang, and died from a stray shaft. His Jingzhou officers hailed the news. Liu Biao answered, "Zhang Ji came in desperation; we failed him as hosts until blades crossed—that was never my wish. I mourn his death; I do not celebrate it."
67
使人納其觿，觿聞之喜，遂皆服從。 [一]三年，長沙太守張羨率零陵、桂陽三郡畔表，表遣兵攻圍，破羨，平之。 [二]於是開土遂廣，南接五領，[三]北據漢川，地方數千里，帶甲十餘萬。 初，荊州人情好擾，加四方駭震，寇賊相扇，處處麋沸。 表招誘有方，威懷兼洽，其奸猾宿賊更為效用，萬里肅清，大小鹹悅而服之。 關西、兗﹑豫學士歸者蓋有千數，表安慰賑贍，皆得資全。 遂起立學校，博求儒術，綦母闓、宋忠等[四]撰立五經章句，謂之後定。 愛民養士，從容自保。 注[一]獻帝春秋曰：「濟引觿入荊州，賈詡隨之歸劉表。 襄陽城守不受，濟因攻之，為流矢所中。 濟從子繡收觿而退。 劉表自責，以為己無賓主禮，遣使招繡，繡遂屯襄陽，為表北藩。」
He welcomed Zhang Ji's troops; hearing his generosity they all submitted. [One] In the third year Changsha's Zhang Xian raised Lingling and Guiyang against him; Liu Biao besieged him, broke his lines, and restored order. [Two] His borders stretched south to the Five Ridges [three] and north along the Han valley—thousands of li under arms numbering over one hundred thousand. Once Jingzhou seethed with unrest while the realm convulsed—bandits fed one another until every district boiled over. Liu Biao blended kindness with awe until veteran bandits enlisted under his banner; peace ran for myriad li and high and low accepted his rule. Thousands of scholars streamed in from Guanxi, Yan, and Yu; Liu Biao fed and clothed them until every refugee found footing. He founded academies, recruited classicists, and commissioned Qi Wu Kai and Song Zhong [four] to compile chapter-and-verse glosses on the Five Classics—the "Later Recension." He cherished the people, kept scholars fed, and guarded his realm at ease. Commentary, note 1: "Annals of Emperor Xian records Zhang Ji leading troops into Jing with Jia Xu in tow to serve Liu Biao. Xiangyang barred its gates, Zhang Ji assaulted the walls, and fell to a stray shaft. His nephew Zhang Xiu gathered the army and withdrew. Liu Biao blamed himself for discourtesy and summoned Zhang Xiu; Xiu camped at Xiangyang as his northern shield."
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注[二]《英雄記》曰：「張羨，南陽人。 先作零陵、桂陽守，甚得江湘閒心。 然性屈強不順，表薄其為人，不甚禮也。 羨因是懷恨，遂畔表。」
Commentary, note 2: "Heroic Tales identifies Zhang Xian as a man of Nanyang. He had governed Lingling and Guiyang and won the Jiang-Xiang gentry. But he was stiff-necked; Liu Biao despised his temper and treated him coldly. Xian nursed a grudge and rose against Liu Biao."
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注[三]裴氏《廣州記》云：「大庾、始安、臨賀、桂陽、揭陽，是謂五領。」 鄧德明《南康記》曰：「大庾一也，桂陽甲騎二也，九真都龐三也。 臨賀萌渚四也，始安越城五也。」
Commentary, note 3: "Pei's Guangzhou Record lists Dayu, Shi'an, Linhe, Guiyang, and Jieyang as the Five Ridges." Deng Deming's Nankang Record says: "Dayu is one—Guiyang armored cavalry is two—Jiuzhen Dupang is three. Linhe's Mengzhu ford fourth and Shi'an's Yuecheng fifth."
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注[四]闓音開。
Commentary, note 4: Kai is pronounced like kai "open."
71
及曹操與袁紹相持於官度，紹遣人求助，表許之，不至，亦不援曹操，且欲觀天下之變。 從事中郎南陽韓嵩、[一]別駕劉先說表[二]曰：「今豪桀並爭，兩雄相持，天子之重在於將軍。 若欲有為，起乘其敝可也； 如其不然，固將擇所宜從。 豈可擁甲十萬，坐觀成敗，求援而不能助，見賢而不肯歸！ 此兩怨必集於將軍，恐不得中立矣。 曹操善用兵，且賢俊多歸之，其埶必舉袁紹，然後移兵以向江漢，恐將軍不能御也。 今之勝計，莫若舉荊州以附曹操，操必重德將軍，長享福祚，垂之後嗣，此萬全之策也。」 蒯越亦勸之。 表狐疑不斷，乃遣嵩詣操，觀望虛實。 謂嵩曰：「今天下未知所定，而曹操擁天子都許，君為我觀其釁。」
While Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fought at Guandu, Yuan Shao begged help; Liu Biao promised troops but sent none, aided neither side, and waited to see how fortune tilted. Han Song of Nanyang and Liu Xian [one][two] urged him: "Champions tear at each other while two titans lock horns—the emperor's fate hangs on you. If you mean to seize mastery yourself, strike while they weaken; if not, you must choose whom to follow. How can you arm one hundred thousand men yet sit idle—promise reinforcements you never send and refuse the winning side! Both camps will blame you; neutrality may prove impossible. Cao Cao is a master of war and draws worthy men; he will overcome Yuan Shao and then wheel toward the Jiang and Han—you may not withstand him. The safest course is to offer Jingzhou to Cao Cao; he will honor you richly, secure fortune for your heirs—that is the prudent path." Kuai Yue pressed the same counsel. Still unresolved, Liu Biao dispatched Han Song to sound out Cao Cao. He told Han Song, "The empire hangs in the balance while Cao holds the emperor at Xu—go read his intentions for me."
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嵩對曰：「嵩觀曹公之明，必得志於天下。 將軍若欲歸之，使嵩可也； 如其猶豫，嵩至京師，天子假嵩一職，不獲辭命，則成天子之臣，將軍之故吏耳。 在君為君，不復為將軍死也。 惟加重思。」 表以為憚使，強之。 至許，果拜嵩侍中、零陵太守。 及還，盛稱朝廷曹操之德，勸遣子入侍。 表大怒，以為懷貳，陳兵詬嵩，將斬之。 [三]嵩不為動容，徐陳臨行之言。 表妻蔡氏知嵩賢，諫止之。
Han Song answered, "Cao Gong's clarity marks him for mastery of the realm. If you wish to join him, sending me will suffice; if you still hesitate and I reach the capital, the emperor may grant me office I cannot refuse—I become the emperor's minister and only your former clerk. I would owe my allegiance to him, not die for you alone. Weigh that carefully." Liu Biao mistook his scruples for cowardice and ordered him to go. At Xu he was appointed Palace Attendant and prefect of Lingling. Back home he praised the court and Cao's virtue and urged Liu Biao to send an heir to Xu. Liu Biao flew into rage, accused him of treason, lined up troops to revile him, and prepared his execution. [Three] Han Song never flinched but calmly repeated what he had said before leaving. Lady Cai knew Han Song's worth and persuaded Liu Biao to stay his hand.
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表猶怒，乃考殺從行者。 知無它意，但囚嵩而已。 [四]注[一]先賢行狀曰：「嵩字德高，義陽人，少好學，貧不改操。」
Still furious, Liu Biao tortured Han Song's attendants to death. Finding no treason in Han Song himself he only imprisoned him. [Four] Commentary, note 1: Conduct of Former Worthies describes Han Song (courtesy Degao) of Yiyang as book-loving from youth and incorruptible in poverty."
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注[二]零陵先賢傳曰：「先字始宗。 博學強記，尤好黃老，明習漢家典故。」
Commentary, note 2: "Lingling Worthies gives Liu Xian the courtesy Shizong. Learned, retentive, devoted to Huang-Lao teaching, versed in Han precedent."
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注[三]詬，罵也。 注[四]傅子曰：「表妻蔡氏諫之曰：『韓嵩，楚國之望，且其言直，誅之無辭。』 表乃不誅而囚之。」
Commentary, note 3: gou means "to revile." Commentary note [four]: Fu Zi says: "Biao wife Lady Cai remonstrated saying: 'Han Song—Chu state's expectation—and his words straight—execute him no excuse. So Liu Biao spared him and kept him in chains."
76
六年，劉備自袁紹奔荊州，表厚相待結而不能用也。 十三年，曹操自將征表，未至。 八月，表疽發背卒。 [一]在荊州幾二十年，家無餘積。 注[一]《代語》曰「表死後八十餘年，晉太康中，頤見發，表及妻身形如生，芬香聞數裡」也。
In the sixth year Liu Bei fled Yuan Shao for Jingzhou; Liu Biao welcomed him warmly yet never employed his talents. In the thirteenth year Cao Cao marched against Liu Biao in person but had not arrived. In the eighth month Liu Biao died of a back abscess. [One] After nearly twenty years in Jingzhou his household kept no surplus wealth. Commentary, note 1: "Dai Yu adds that eighty years after his death grave robbers in Jin Taikang found Liu Biao and his wife uncorrupted and fragrant for li around."
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二子：琦，琮。 表初以琦貌類於己，甚愛之，後為琮娶其後妻蔡氏之侄，蔡氏遂愛琮而惡琦，毀譽之言日聞於表。 表寵耽後妻，每信受焉。 又妻弟蔡瑁及外甥張允並得幸於表，又睦於琮。 而琦不自寧，嘗與琅邪人諸葛亮謀自安之術。
He had two sons: Qi and Cong. At first Liu Biao doted on Qi for resembling him; later he wed Cong to Lady Cai's niece, whereupon Lady Cai favored Cong and slandered Qi daily in Liu Biao's ear. Besotted with his second wife, Liu Biao believed her every word. His brother-in-law Cai Mao and nephew Zhang Yun also enjoyed Liu Biao's favor and stood close to Liu Cong. Liu Qi lived in fear and appealed to Zhuge Liang of Langye for a way to survive.
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亮初不對。 後乃共升高樓，因令去梯，謂亮曰：「今日上不至天，下不至地，言出子口而入吾耳，可以言未？」 亮曰：「君不見申生在內而危，重耳居外而安乎？」 [一]琦意感悟，陰規出計。 會表將江夏太守黃祖為孫權所殺，琦遂求代其任。
Zhuge Liang at first stayed silent. Then they climbed a high tower; Qi had the ladders taken away and said, "We stand neither in heaven nor on earth—what leaves your lips enters only my ears—may we speak plainly now? Zhuge Liang replied, "Have you not heard how Prince Sheng perished at court while Chong'er survived in exile? [One] The lesson sank in; Liu Qi secretly laid plans to escape south. When Huang Zu fell to Sun Quan, Liu Qi asked to take his place at Jiangxia.
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注[一]申生，晉獻公之太子。 為麗姬所譖，自縊死。 重耳，申生之弟。 懼麗姬之讒，出奔。 獻公卒，重耳入，是為文公，遂為霸主。 見《左氏傳》。
Commentary, note 1: Prince Sheng was heir of Duke Xian of Jin. Lady Ji framed him and he hanged himself. Chong'er was Prince Sheng's younger brother. Fearing further plots he fled into exile. After Duke Xian died Chong'er returned as Duke Wen and rose to hegemony. The tale is in the Zuo Commentary.
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及表病甚，琦歸省疾，素慈孝，允等恐其見表而父子相感，更有托後之意，乃謂琦曰：「將軍命君撫臨江夏，其任至重。 今釋觿□來，必見譴怒。 傷親之歡，重增其疾，非孝敬之道也。」 遂遏於戶外，使不得見。 琦流涕而去，人觿聞而傷焉。 遂以琮為嗣。
When Liu Biao lay gravely ill Liu Qi came home to nurse him; known for filial piety, Zhang Yun and company feared a tearful reunion might move father and son toward a deathbed transfer of power—they told Qi, "Your father charged you with Jiangxia—that duty is too grave. If you abandon your troops now and rush home he will only rage at you. You would wound his spirit and worsen his illness—that is not devotion." They barred him at the door and barred the audience. Liu Qi left weeping; soldiers who heard it grieved. They installed Liu Cong as heir.
81
琮以侯印授琦。 琦怒，投之地，將因奔喪作難。 會曹操軍至新野，琦走江南。
Liu Cong offered Liu Qi the seal of marquis. Enraged, Liu Qi dashed it to the earth and meant to make trouble at the funeral. When Cao Cao reached Xinyang Liu Qi fled south of the Yangzi.
82
蒯越、韓嵩及東曹掾傅巽等說琮歸降。 [一]琮曰：「今與諸君據全楚之地，守先君之業，以觀天下，何為不可？」 巽曰：「逆順有大體，強弱有定埶。 以人臣而拒人主，逆道也； 以新造之楚而御中國，必危也； 以劉備而敵曹公，不當也。 三者皆短，欲以抗王師之鋒，必亡之道也。 將軍自料何與劉備？」 琮曰：「不若也。」 巽曰：「誠以劉備不足御曹公，則雖全楚不能以自存也。 誠以劉備足御曹公，則備不為將軍下也。 願將軍勿疑。」 注[一]傅子曰：「巽字公悌，纓瑋博達，有知人監識。」
Kuai Yue, Han Song, and Fu Xun of the East Bureau urged Liu Cong to surrender. [One] Liu Cong asked, "We hold all Chu and my father's legacy—why cannot we watch the times? Fu Xun answered, "Right and wrong have their logic; strength has its measure. For a subject to defy the sovereign is rebellion. For newborn Chu to resist the heartland is peril. Pitting Liu Bei against Cao Cao is no fair match. You lack all three advantages yet would meet the imperial host—that is the road to ruin. General, how do you measure against Liu Bei?" Liu Cong admitted, "I am not his equal. Fu Xun said, "If Liu Bei cannot withstand Cao Cao, even holding all Chu will not save you. If Liu Bei can withstand Cao Cao, he will not long obey you. Do not doubt this." Commentary, note 1: "Fu Xuan describes Fu Xun (courtesy Gongti) as broadly learned and discerning of men."
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及操軍到襄陽，琮舉州請降，劉備奔夏口。 [一]操以琮為青州刺史，封列侯。
When Cao Cao reached Xiangyang Liu Cong surrendered the province; Liu Bei fled to Xiakou. [One] Cao made Liu Cong inspector of Qingzhou and enfeoffed him as a full marquis.
84
蒯越等候者十五人。 乃釋嵩之囚，以其名重，甚加禮待，使條品州人優劣，皆擢而用之。 以嵩為大鴻臚，以交友禮待之。 蒯越光祿勳，劉* (光) **[先]*尚書令。 初，表之結袁紹也，侍中從事鄧義諫不聽。 義以疾退，終表世不仕，操以為侍中。 其餘多至大官。 注[一]夏口，城，今之鄂州也。 左傳：「吳伐楚，楚沈尹戌奔命於夏汭。」 杜預注曰：「漢水入* (口) **[江]*，今夏口也。」
Kuai Yue and fourteen others who had surrendered. He freed Han Song from prison, honored him for reputation, had him rank Jingzhou talent, and promoted the worthy. He named Han Song Grand Herald and treated him as an ally. Kuai Yue became Palace Provisioner; Liu (guang) —Xian—was Minister Director of Affairs. When Liu Biao first allied with Yuan Shao, Deng Yi remonstrated in vain. Deng Yi pleaded illness and never served under Liu Biao; Cao appointed him Palace Attendant. Most of the others rose to high rank. Commentary, note 1: Xiakou is modern Ezhou. Zuo Commentary: "Wu attacked Chu—Chu Shen Yin Xu raced orders at Xiaru." Du Yu commentary says: "Han River enters— (mouth) —river—that is today's Xiakou."
85
操後敗於赤壁，[一]劉備表琦為荊州刺史。 明年卒。 注[一]赤壁，山名也，在今鄂州蒲圻縣。
After Cao lost at Red Cliffs [one] Liu Bei secured Qi as inspector of Jingzhou. He died the following year. Commentary, note 1: Red Cliff mountain lies in present Puqi, Ezhou.
86
論曰：袁紹初以豪俠得觿，遂懷雄霸之圖，天下勝兵舉旗者，莫不假以為名。 及臨場決敵，則悍夫爭命； [一]深籌高議，則智士傾心。 盛哉乎，其所資也！ 韓非曰：「佷剛而不和，愎過而好勝，嫡子輕而庶子重，斯之謂亡征。」 [二]劉表道不相越，而欲臥收天運，擬蹤三分，其猶木禺之於人也。 [三]
The treatise: Yuan Shao first won followers as a bold knight, then dreamed of empire—every warlord who raised troops borrowed his prestige. On the battlefield brave men staked their lives; [one] in council wise men gave their hearts. How great was the capital they commanded! Han Fei warned: "obstinacy, deafness to counsel, favoring younger sons—omens of doom." [Two] Liu Biao lacked such greatness yet hoped to seize fate from his couch and rival the Three Ways—like a wooden puppet among men. Third commentary reference.
87
注[一]悍，勇也。
Commentary, note 1: han means "valiant."
88
注[二]《韓非·亡征篇》曰：「佷剛而不和，愎諫而好勝，不顧社稷而輕為信者，可亡也。」 又曰：「太子輕，庶子伉，可亡也。」 又曰：「太子卑而庶子尊，可亡也。」
Commentary, note 2: Han Fei's "Omens of Ruin" lists obstinacy and reckless trust as fatal. Also says: "Heir son light—concubine sons rival—may ruin." Also says: "Heir son low while concubine sons honored—may ruin."
89
注[三]言其如刻木為人，無所知也。 《前書》：「有木禺龍一。」 音義曰：「禺，寄也。 寄龍形於木。」
Commentary, note 3: he is likened to carved wood—mindless. Former Documents: "Have wooden puppet dragon one." Sounds and Meanings gloss ou as "mounted image. A dragon shape fixed on wood."
90
贊曰：紹姿弘雅，表亦長者。 稱雄河外，□強南夏。 魚儷漢舳，雲屯冀馬。 [一]窺圖訊鼎，禋天類社。 [二]既雲天工，亦資人亮。 [三]矜強少成，坐談奚望。 [四]回皇頤嬖，身頹業喪。 [五]
The encomium: Yuan Shao cut a generous lord; Liu Biao too was a gentleman. They boasted north of the river and swelled south of the Han. Their fleets lined the Han like paired fish; Ji horses massed like clouds. [One] They eyed charts and the Nine Tripods, sacrificed to Heaven and mimicked the soil gods. [Two] Heaven assigns mandate yet men must prove worthy. [Three] Pride brought little gain—empty talk wins nothing. [Four] Dithering while favorites ruled—they fell and their cause collapsed. Fifth commentary reference.
91
注[一]魚儷猶相次比也。 左傳曰：「奉公為魚麗之陳。」 前書音義曰：「舳，船後持柂處也。」 左傳曰：「冀之北土，馬之所生。」
Commentary, note 1: "Fish paired" means lined up in ranks. Zuo Commentary says: "Presented duke made fish-scale formation." Han shu gloss: "zhu is the stern where the rudder rests." The Zuo adds that Ji breeds the finest horses."
92
注[二]窺圖謂若劉歆圖書改名秀。 訊鼎謂楚子問王孫滿鼎輕重也。 國語曰：「精意以享謂之禋。」 爾雅曰：「是類是禡，師祭也。」 社者陰類，將興師，故祭之。
Commentary, note 2: "Peering chart" recalls Liu Xin's prophecy. "Questioning cauldron" recalls the Chu king weighing Zhou's legitimacy. Discourses of States says: "Pure intent to enjoy called yin." Erya says: "Such lei such ma—army sacrifice." Earth rites precede marching armies.
93
注[三]工者，官也。 亮，信也。 尚書曰：「天工人其代之。」 又曰：「惟時亮天工。」
Commentary, note 3: gong means official duty. Liang means "trust." Documents says: "Heaven's craft men substitute it." They urge ministers to fulfill Heaven's charge."
94
注[四]九州春秋曰：「曹公征烏桓，諸將曰：『今深入遠征，萬一劉表使備襲許，悔無及也。』 郭嘉曰：『劉表坐談客耳，自知才不足以御備，重任之則恐不能制，輕之則備不為用。 雖違國遠征，無憂矣。』 公遂征之。」
Commentary note [four]: Jiuzhou Spring Autumn says: "Duke Cao campaigned Wuhuan—generals said: 'Now deep enter distant campaign—if Liu Bei strikes Xu—regret not reach. Guo Jia replied that Liu Biao was a mere salon politician who knew he could not control Liu Bei—empower Bei and you lose your grip; slight him and Bei will not serve—so Cao could march north without worry. Thus the northern expedition carried little risk from Jingzhou. The duke marched north."
95
注[五]頤，嫡也。 嬖，愛也。
Commentary, note 5: yi refers to the heir. Bi means "favorite."
96
校勘記
Collation Notes
97
二四０九頁五行自九月至明年二月按：沈家本謂案魏志武紀，操破譚尚在三月。
[Note] Shen Jiaben: Wei Records place Cao's victory over Tan in the third month, not February.
98
二四０九頁九行皆是審配之所構也按：「構」原斗「構」，各本同，逕改正。
Page 2409 line 9 all is Shen Pei's plotting note: "plot" original fought "plot"—each edition same—directly corrected.
99
二四一０頁九行直* (言) *當論其埶耳據刊誤刪。 按：魏志辛毗傳無「言」字。
[Manuscript note on variant graph zhi— Parenthetical gloss: “speak.” Collation deletes the interrupted gloss “should discuss their situation” as spurious. The Wei Records text of Xin Pi’s biography does not contain the word “speak.”
100
二四一０頁一五行宣奕世之德按：「奕」原斗「弈」，逕據汲本、殿本改正。 注同。
Errata: replace the miswritten yi with yi “layered,” following the Ji and Palace imprints. The commentary adopts the same correction.
101
二四一一頁六行而能全於長世者也校補謂「於」字誤，當作「族」。 按：魏志注引魏氏春秋作「而能崇業濟功，垂祚後世者也」。
Editorial supplement emends yu to zu “clan.” Note: Wei Records commentary quoting Wei Annals reads “yet can exalt enterprise, aid merit, and hang blessing on posterity.”
102
二四一一頁一二行構我二人按：「構」原斗「構」，逕據殿本改正。
Typo fixed: restore gou “incite” from the Palace block print.
103
二四一二頁七行其弟靜立汲本、殿本「靜」作「靖」。 按：靜靖古多通作。
Variant graph: "Ji and Palace print Jing for the royal name." The graphs were commonly interchanged in manuscript tradition.
104
二四一三頁三行段不弟「段」原斗「□」，逕改正。 下同，不悉出校記。
Page 2413 line 3 “Duan no younger brother”—Duan misprinted as lacuna; corrected. Further occurrences follow this correction without repeated notes.
105
二四一三頁一三行故雖滅親不尤誅兄不傷按：魏志注「尤」上有「為」字，「傷」下有「義」字。
Wei commentary inserts wei “for duty” and yi “righteousness” for fuller sense.
106
二四一三頁一三行當唯曹是務按：集解引惠棟說，謂曹，觿也，魏氏春秋作「義」。 王粲集云「唯曹氏是務」，此後人妄加也。
Hui Dong argues Cao stands for “the host”; Wei Annals prefers yi. Wang Can’s collection reads “must take the Cao clan as task”—later interpolation.
107
二四一三頁一六行遵而無改按：魏志注「遵」作「違」。
Variant: wei “violate” instead of zun “follow.”
108
二四一四頁三行尚將呂曠高翔魏志「高翔」作「呂翔」，惠棟補注從之。 按：潘眉謂作「高翔」是。
Page 2414 line 3 Shang generals Lu Kuang and Gao Xiang—Wei Records writes Lu Xiang; Hui Dong’s supplement follows Wei. Note: "Pan Mei argues Gao Xiang is correct."
109
二四一四頁八行是以周公垂涕以* (斃) **[蔽]*管蔡之獄集解引惠棟說，謂「斃」當作「弊」，斷也。 或作「蔽」，義同。 今據改。 按：魏志注作「是以周公垂泣而蔽管蔡之獄」。
Line break before the gloss on bi. Gloss: execute. Hui Dong reads bi as “break off,” not “kill.” Or written bi “screen”; meaning agrees. Text updated per commentary. Wei quotation prefers “weep” plus bi phrasing.
110
二四一五頁一行貴名* (高) **[位]*於丘岳據殿本改。 按：校補引錢大昭說，謂閩本「高」作「位」。
Fragment before graph split. Gloss: high. Palace edition reads wei “rank” instead of gao. Note: Editorial supplement cites Qian Dazhao: "Min edition writes wei."
111
二四一五頁三行匍匐悲號按：「匍匐」二字原倒，逕乙正。
Page 2415 line 3 “crawl and cry”—note: the two graphs were inverted; order corrected.
112
二四一五頁一一行慶父存也按：刊誤謂案公羊云「慶父也存」。
Page 2415 line 11 “Qingfu survives”—errata says Gongyang reads “Qingfu ye survives.”
113
二四一六頁五行審配將馮* (札) **[禮]*集解引錢大昭說，謂閩本「馮札」作「馮禮」。 又魏志亦作「馮禮」。 今據改。 按：禮字古作「禮」，形近斗「札」。
Name fragment. Gloss Zha. Qian Dazhao: "Feng Li not Feng Zha." "Moreover Wei Records also writes Feng Li." Adopted Feng Li. Note: "Ancient li often looked like zha; easily confused."
114
二四一七頁四行相州安* (楊) **[陽]*縣界有藍嵯山據殿本改。
Place-name fragment. Gloss yang. Full reading Anyang county with Lancuo; Palace edition.
115
二四一七頁一０行譚夜遁* (奔) **[走]*南皮據汲本改。 按：校補謂奔者逃亡之辭，譚時尚有軍，作「奔」非。
Verb fragment. Gloss flee. Ji edition reads zou “advance” not ben “flee.” Note: "Supplement says ben implies flight; Tan still had an army—ben inappropriate."
116
二四一八頁八行典論曰按：校補引錢大昭說，謂魏志注引此作「典略」。
Page 2418 line 8 “Dianlun says”—note: supplement cites Qian Dazhao: Wei commentary quotes Dianlue.
117
二四一八頁一四行初避吏為玄兔小吏按：刊誤謂「玄兔」按郡名皆作「菟」。
Page 2418 line 14 “first fled clerks to become Xuantu clerk”—errata: county names should use tu not rabbit.
118
二四一九頁四行司空曹操表為奮威將軍按：沈家本謂魏志公孫度傳「奮」作「武」。
Page 2419, line 4 reads, "Minister of Works Cao Cao memorialized that he be made General Who Displays Might." Shen Jiaben notes that in the Wei Records biography of Gongsun Du, the character "fen" is written as "wu," giving the title General Who Displays Martial Might.
119
二四二０頁五行至者十五人按：集解引惠棟說，謂司馬彪戰略云「五十五人」。
Number dispute: "15 vs 55 in Strategy."
120
二四二０頁六行唯江夏賊張虎陳坐擁兵據襄陽城按：殿本考證謂何焯校本「坐」改「生」。 又集解引惠棟說，謂戰略作「陳生」。
Graph zuo vs sheng for Chen’s name. Moreover Collected gloss cites Hui Dong: "Strategy writes Chen Sheng."
121
二四二０頁一三行江* (陵) **[夏]*集解引洪亮吉說，謂「江陵」應作「江夏」，表傳凡言江夏者三，漢官儀作「江陵」，誤。 今據改。
River name fragment. Gloss ling. xia—Collected gloss cites Hong Liangji: “Jiangling” should be “Jiangxia”; Liu Biao’s biography mentions Jiangxia thrice; Han Official Regulations wrongly writes Jiangling. Adopt Jiangxia.
122
二四二一頁三行劉表將呂介至應時物故按：校補謂吳志注引英雄記「介」作「公」，「介下兵射中堅頭」作「公兵下石中堅頭」，「應時」下多「腦出」二字。
Page 2421 line 3 “Liu Biao general Lu Jie … died on the spot”—note: supplement says Wu Records Heroic Tales writes jie as gong, changes “Jie’s troops shot Sun Jian’s head” to “Gong’s troops dropped a stone on Sun Jian’s head,” and adds “brains spilled” after “on the spot.”
123
二四二一頁一０行綦母闓按：殿本「綦母」作「綦毋」。
Page 2421 line 10 “Qi Wu Kai”—note: Palace edition writes Qi Wu (different Mu).
124
二四二二頁一０行不獲辭命按：刊誤謂案文當云「辭不獲命」。
Page 2422 line 10 “could not decline mandate”—errata: sentence should read “decline but could not obtain mandate.”
125
二四二三頁五行代語曰按：校補引錢大昭說，謂代語即世語，唐人避諱改。 世語晉郭頒撰，隋書經籍志作「魏晉世語」。
Tang-period renaming of Shishuo Xinyu. "Shiyu compiled by Jin Guo Ban; Sui catalogue titles it Wei-Jin Shiyu."
126
二四二四頁一行琦流涕而去人觿聞而傷焉汲本、殿本「人」作「之」，屬上讀。 按：魏志注引典論，作「琦流涕而去」，無「之」字。
Punctuation variant: "ren vs zhi." Note: Wei commentary quoting Dianlun reads “Qi left weeping” without zhi.
127
二四二四頁八行有知人監識汲本、殿本「監」作「鑒」。 按：監與鑒通。
Page 2428 line 8 “know men oversee insight”—Ji and Palace write jian “mirror.” Comment on synonymous graphs.
128
二四二四頁一一行劉* (光) **[先]*尚書令按：集解引惠棟說，謂「光」魏志作「先」，即上別駕劉先也。 零陵先賢傳亦作「先」。 今據改。
Surname fragment. Gloss guang. Xian Minister Director—note: Collected gloss cites Hui Dong: "Wei Records writes Xian, i.e., Adjutant Liu Xian above." "Lingling Worthies also writes Xian." Use Xian.
129
二四二四頁一一行侍中從事鄧義按：集解引陳景雲說，謂「侍」當作「治」。 又引錢大昕說，謂章懷諱「治」為「持」，此「治中」改「持中」，校書者妄易為「侍」耳。 又按：集解引惠棟說，謂魏志「鄧義」作「鄧羲」。
Page 2424 line 11 “Palace Attendant clerk Deng Yi”—note: Collected gloss cites Chen Jingyun: shi should be zhi “administrator.” Moreover cites Qian Daxin: "Zhanghuai tabooed zhi as chi—here zhi zhong became chi zhong and copyists wrongly wrote shi." Further note: Collected gloss cites Hui Dong: "Wei Records writes Deng Xi for Deng Yi."