Volume 63 Han Records 55

資治通鑑第063卷

Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 63

【漢紀五十五】起暑維單閼，盡上章執徐，凡二年。

【Han Records 55】 Spanning the years from Shuwei-Danyan through Shangzhang-Zhixu—two years in all.

春，三月，黑山帥張燕與公孫續率兵十萬，三道救之。未至，瓚密使行人繼書告續，使引五千鐵騎於北隰之中，起火為應，瓚欲自內出戰。紹候得其書，如期舉火。瓚以為救至，遂出戰。紹設伏擊之，瓚大敗，復還自守。紹為地道，穿其樓下，施木柱之，度足達半，便燒之，樓輒傾倒，稍至京中。瓚自計必無全，乃悉縊其姊妹、妻子，然後引火自焚。紹趣兵登台，斬之。田楷戰死。關靖歎曰：「前若不止將軍自行，未必不濟。吾聞君子陷人危，必同其難，豈可以獨生乎！」策馬赴紹軍而死。續為屠各所殺。漁陽田豫說太守鮮于輔曰：「曹氏奉天子以令諸侯，終能定天下，宜早從之。」輔乃率其眾以奉王命。詔以輔為建忠將軍，都督幽州六郡。初，烏桓王丘力居死，子樓班年少，從子蹋頓有武略，代立，總攝上谷大人難樓、遼東大人蘇僕延、右北平大人烏延等。袁紹攻公孫瓚，蹋頓以烏桓助之。瓚滅，紹承製皆賜蹋頓、難樓、蘇僕延、烏延等單于印綬；又以閻柔得烏桓心，因加寵慰以安北邊。其後難樓、蘇僕延奉樓班為單于，以蹋頓為王，然蹋頓猶秉計策。

In the third month of spring, the Black Mountain chieftain Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu marched a hundred thousand men along three routes to relieve the siege. Before they arrived, Zan secretly sent a courier with a second message instructing Xu to bring five thousand armored cavalry into the northern marshlands and light signal fires; Zan planned to break out from within and join the battle. Shao's scouts intercepted the message and lit signal fires at the appointed time. Believing that relief had arrived, Zan sallied out to fight. Shao had laid an ambush and struck; Zan was routed and retreated once more behind his defenses. Shao dug a tunnel beneath the towers, propped them with wooden pillars, and when the supports were halfway consumed by fire, burned them; the towers collapsed one after another, the destruction creeping inward toward the citadel. Convinced that he could not escape whole, Zan had all his sisters and wives strangled, then set the fortress ablaze and perished in the flames. Shao pressed his troops up onto the platform and had Zan's head taken. Tian Kai was killed in the fighting. Guan Jing sighed and said, "Had we not earlier restrained the general from acting on his own initiative, the outcome might well have been different. I have heard that when a gentleman brings others into danger, he must share their fate—how could he save himself alone!" He spurred his horse toward Shao's camp and was killed. Xu was slain by Tuge tribesmen. Tian Yu of Yuyang urged the prefect Xianyu Fu, saying, "The house of Cao holds the emperor to command the lords and will in the end bring the realm to order; you should align yourself with them without delay." Fu thereupon led his followers to submit to the imperial court. An edict appointed Fu General Who Establishes Loyalty and placed him in command of the six You Province commanderies. Earlier, the Wuhuan king Qiuliju had died. His son Louban was still young, and his nephew Tadun, a man of military talent, succeeded him and brought under his authority the Shanggu chieftain Nalou, the Liaodong chieftain Supuyan, the Right Beiping chieftain Wuyan, and the rest. When Yuan Shao attacked Gongsun Zan, Tadun sent Wuhuan warriors to his aid. After Zan's destruction, Shao, acting with imperial sanction, invested Tadun, Nalou, Supuyan, Wuyan, and the others with Chanyu seals and ribbons; and because Yan Rou had won the Wuhuan people's loyalty, he heaped further favor and reassurance upon them to pacify the northern frontier. Later Nalou and Supuyan enthroned Louban as Chanyu and made Tadun king, but Tadun continued to hold real authority over strategy.

眭固屯射犬。夏，四月，曹操進軍臨河，使將軍史渙、曹仁渡河擊之。仁，操從弟也。固自將兵北詣袁紹求救，與渙、仁遇於犬城，渙、仁擊斬之。操遂濟河，圍射犬。射犬降，操還軍敖倉。初，操在兗州舉魏種孝廉。兗州叛，操曰：「唯魏種且不棄孤。」及聞種走，操怒曰：「種不南走越，北走胡，不置汝也！」即下射犬，生禽種，操曰：「唯其才也！」釋其縛而用之，以為河內太守，屬以河北事。

Sui Gu held Shequan with his troops. In the fourth month of summer, Cao Cao marched to the river and sent the generals Shi Huan and Cao Ren across to strike Sui Gu. Ren was Cao Cao's cousin. Gu himself led his forces north to beg aid from Yuan Shao, but met Huan and Ren at Quan City, where they attacked and killed him. Cao then crossed the river and laid siege to Shequan. Shequan surrendered, and Cao withdrew his army to Aocang. Earlier, while Cao Cao was in Yan Province, he had nominated Wei Zhong as a filial and incorrupt candidate. When Yan Province rose in revolt, Cao Cao said, "Only Wei Zhong would not abandon me." But when he learned that Zhong had fled, he raged, "Unless Zhong flees south to Yue or north to the barbarians, I will not spare you!" He pressed on to Shequan, took Zhong alive, and said, "I spare you only for your ability!" He loosed his bonds and put him to use, appointing him Administrator of Henei and entrusting him with affairs in the Hebei region.

以衛將軍董承為車騎將軍。

Dong Cheng, Defender-General, was appointed General of Chariots and Cavalry.

袁術既稱帝，淫侈滋甚，媵御數百，無不兼羅紈，厭粱肉，自下饑困，莫之收恤。既而資實空盡，不能自立，乃燒宮室，奔其部曲陳簡、雷薄於灊山，復為簡等所拒，遂大窮，士卒散走，憂懣不知所為。乃遣使歸帝號於從兄紹曰：「祿去漢室久矣！袁氏受命當王，符瑞炳然。今君擁有四州，人戶百萬，謹歸大命，君其興之！」袁譚自青州迎術，欲從下邳北過。曹操遣劉備及將軍清河朱靈邀之，術不得過，復走壽春。六月，至江亭，坐簀床而歎曰：「袁術乃至是乎！」因憤慨結病，歐血死。術從弟胤畏曹操，不敢居壽春，率其部曲奉術柩及妻子，奔廬江太守劉勳於皖城。故廣陵太守徐璆得傳國璽。獻之。

Once Yuan Shu had declared himself emperor, his debauchery and extravagance knew no bounds. His concubines and attendants numbered in the hundreds, every one draped in silk and surfeited with fine grain and meat, while the people below him starved in misery with no one to succor them. Before long his stores were exhausted and he could no longer hold his own. He burned his palaces and fled to his officers Chen Jian and Lei Bo on Mount Qian, only to be turned away by them as well. Reduced to utter ruin, his troops scattered, and he was consumed by despair with nowhere to turn. He sent envoys to surrender the imperial title to his cousin Yuan Shao, saying, "The Mandate has long since left the house of Han! The house of Yuan has received Heaven's charge and is destined to rule; the omens blaze clear. You now hold four provinces and a million households. I respectfully return the Great Mandate to you—may you rise to claim it!" Yuan Tan came from Qing Province to receive Shu and planned to lead him north past Xiapi. Cao Cao sent Liu Bei and the Qinghe general Zhu Ling to block his path. Shu could not get through and retreated once more to Shouchun. In the sixth month he reached Jiang Pavilion, sat on a rush mat, and sighed, "Has Yuan Shu truly come to this!" Rage and grief took hold of him; he fell ill, vomited blood, and died. Shu's cousin Yin, fearing Cao Cao, dared not remain in Shouchun. He led his followers, bearing Shu's coffin and family, and fled to the Lujiang administrator Liu Xun at Wancheng. The former Guangling administrator Xu Miao came into possession of the imperial heirloom seal. He presented it to the court.

袁紹既克公孫瓚，心益驕，貢御稀簡。主薄耿包密白紹，宜應天人，稱尊號。紹以包白事示軍府。僚屬皆言包妖妄，宜誅。紹不得已，殺包以自解。紹簡精兵十萬、騎萬匹，欲以攻許。沮授諫曰：「近討公孫瓚，師出歷年，百姓疲敝，倉庫無積，未可動也。宜務農息民，先遣使獻捷天子。若不得通，乃表曹操隔我王路，然後進屯黎陽，漸營河南，益作舟舡，繕修器械，分遣精騎抄其邊鄙，令彼不得安，我取其逸。如此，可坐定也。」郭圖、審配曰：「以明公之神武，引河朔之強眾，以伐曹操，易如覆手，何必乃爾！」授曰：「夫救亂誅暴，謂之義兵；恃眾憑強，謂之驕兵。義者無敵，驕者先滅。曹操奉天子以令天下，今舉師南向，於義則違。且廟勝之策，不在強弱。曹操法令既行，士卒精練，非公孫瓚坐而受攻者也。今棄萬安之術而興無名之師，竊為公懼之！」圖、配曰：「武王伐紂，不為不義。況兵加曹操，而云無名？且以公今日之強，將士思奮，不及時以定大業，所謂天與不取，反受其咎，此越之所以霸，吳之所以滅也。監軍之計在於持牢，而非見時知機之變也。」紹納圖言，圖等因是譖授曰：「授監統內外，威震三軍，若其浸盛，何以制之！夫臣與主同者亡，此《黃石》之所忌也。且御眾於外，不宜知內。」紹乃分授所統為三都督，使授及郭圖、淳于瓊各典一軍。騎都尉清河崔琰諫曰：「天子在許，民望助順，不可攻也！」紹不從。許下諸將聞紹將攻許，皆懼，曹操曰：「吾知紹之為人，志大而智小，色厲而膽薄，忌克而少威，兵多而分畫不明，將驕而政令不一，土地雖廣，糧食雖豐，適足以為吾奉也。」孔融謂荀彧曰：「紹地廣兵強，田豐、許攸智士也，為之謀；審配、逄紀忠臣也，任其事；顏良、文丑勇將也，統其兵。殆難克乎！」彧曰：「紹兵雖多而法不整，田豐剛而犯上，許攸貪而不治，審配專而無謀，逄紀果而自用，此數人者，勢不相容，必生內變。顏良、文丑，一夫之勇耳，可一戰而禽也。」秋，八月，操進軍黎陽，使臧霸等將精兵入青州以扞東方，留于禁屯河上。九月，操還許，分兵守官渡。

After Yuan Shao had overthrown Gongsun Zan, his pride swelled, and the tribute he sent to the court grew sparse and perfunctory. The chief clerk Geng Bao secretly urged Shao to heed Heaven and the people and assume the imperial title. Shao made Bao's proposal known throughout his headquarters. His staff all declared that Bao was deluded and perverse and ought to be put to death. Shao had no choice but to execute Bao to clear himself of suspicion. Shao mustered a hundred thousand picked troops and ten thousand cavalry and prepared to march on Xu. Ju Shou remonstrated, saying, "The recent campaign against Gongsun Zan kept the army in the field for years. The people are exhausted, the storehouses empty—it is not yet time to march. You should devote yourself to farming and give the people rest, and first send envoys to present your victory to the emperor. If they are turned back, then memorialize that Cao Cao is blocking the royal road. Only then advance to encamp at Liyang, gradually develop the Henan region, build more boats, repair weapons, and dispatch elite cavalry in detachments to raid his borders, keeping him unsettled while we remain at ease— and in this way you can bring the realm to order without stirring from your seat." Guo Tu and Shen Pei said, "With my lord's divine martial prowess, leading the mighty hosts of Hebei against Cao Cao, victory is as easy as turning one's hand—why make it so complicated!" Shou replied, "Armies that rescue the realm from chaos and punish the violent are called armies of righteousness; those that lean on numbers and trust in brute strength are called arrogant armies. The righteous are invincible; the arrogant are the first to fall. Cao Cao holds the emperor to command the realm. To march south now is to violate righteousness itself. Besides, victory decided in the ancestral temple does not depend on numbers alone. Cao Cao's laws are enforced, his troops drilled and disciplined—he is not Gongsun Zan, who sat passively and took whatever blows came. To abandon a sure path and raise an army without just cause—I fear for you, my lord!" Tu and Pei said, "When King Wu attacked King Zhou of Shang, was that unrighteous? How much less so when you send troops against Cao Cao—how can you call that unjustified? Moreover, with your strength today and your officers eager to fight, if you do not seize the moment to secure the great enterprise, you will suffer what Heaven offers and man refuses—the fate that made Yue a hegemon and Wu a ruin. The army supervisor's plan is to hold fast, not to read the times and seize opportunity." Shao accepted Tu's counsel. Tu and his allies then slandered Shou, saying, "Shou commands both civil and military affairs; his authority overawes the entire army. If it keeps growing, how will you control him? When minister and lord are equals, ruin follows—this is what the Yellow Stone Classic warns against. Besides, a commander in the field should not know too much of what happens within." Shao then split Shou's command into three divisions, placing Shou, Guo Tu, and Chunyu Qiong each in charge of one army. The Cavalry Commandant Cui Yan of Qinghe remonstrated, saying, "The emperor is at Xu; the people look to whoever aids the legitimate cause—you must not attack!" Shao would not listen. When the generals at Xu heard that Shao was marching on the capital, they were all afraid. Cao Cao said, "I know Shao's character: ambitious but shallow in counsel, fierce in manner but timid at heart, jealous and grasping with little real authority, many in troops but muddled in planning, his generals arrogant and his orders inconsistent. However broad his lands and however full his granaries, they will serve only to provision me." Kong Rong said to Xun Yu, "Shao's territory is vast and his army strong. Tian Feng and Xu You are wise counselors who plot for him; Shen Pei and Pang Ji are loyal ministers who carry out his orders; Yan Liang and Wen Chou are fierce generals who lead his armies. He will be hard to overcome, will he not?" Yu replied, "Shao's troops are numerous but his discipline is lax. Tian Feng is obstinate and offends his superiors; Xu You is greedy and corrupt; Shen Pei is domineering and unstrategic; Pang Ji is headstrong and self-willed. These men cannot coexist in power—they will surely tear one another apart. Yan Liang and Wen Chou are mere brawlers—they can be taken in a single engagement." In the eighth month of autumn, Cao advanced to Liyang, sent Zang Ba and others with elite troops into Qing Province to hold the eastern flank, and left Yu Jin to garrison along the river. In the ninth month Cao returned to Xu and detached troops to hold Guandu.

袁紹遣人招張繡，並與賈詡書結好。繡欲許之，詡於繡坐上，顯謂紹使曰：「歸謝袁本初，兄弟不能相容，而能容天下國士乎！」繡驚懼曰：「何至於此！」竊謂詡曰：「若此，當何歸？」詡曰：「不如從曹公。」繡曰：「袁強曹弱，又先與曹為仇，從之如何？」詡曰：「此乃所以宜從也。夫曹公奉天子以令天下，其宜從一也；紹強盛，我以少眾從之，必不以我為重，曹公眾弱，其得我必喜，其宜從二也；夫有霸王之志者，固將釋私怨以明德於四海，其宜從三也。願將軍無疑！」冬，十一月，繡率眾降曹操，操執繡手，與歡宴，為子均取繡女，拜揚武將軍；表詡為執金吾，封都亭侯。關中諸將以袁、曹方爭，皆中立顧望。涼州牧韋端使從事天水楊阜詣許，阜還，關右諸將問：「袁、曹勝敗孰在？」阜曰：「袁公寬而不斷，好謀而少決；不斷則無威，少決則後事，今雖強，終不能成大業。曹公有雄才遠略，決機無疑，法一而兵精，能用度外之人，所任各盡其力，必能濟大事者也。」曹操使治書待御史河東衛覬鎮撫關中，時四方大有還民，關中諸將多引為部曲。覬書與荀彧：「關中膏腴之地，頃遭荒亂，人民流入荊州者十萬餘家，聞本土安寧，皆企望思歸。而歸者無以自業，諸將各競招懷以為部曲，郡縣貧弱，不能與爭，兵家遂強，一旦變動，必有後憂。夫鹽，國之大寶也，亂來放散，宜如舊置使者監賣，以其直益市犁牛，若有歸民，以供給之，勤耕積粟以豐殖關中，遠民聞之，必日夜競還。又使司隸校尉留治關中以為之主，則諸將日削，官民日盛，此強本弱敵之利也。」彧以白操，操從之。始遣謁者僕射監鹽官，司隸校尉治弘農。關中由是服從。

Yuan Shao sent envoys to win over Zhang Xiu and wrote Jia Xu a letter offering alliance. Xiu was inclined to accept. At the council table, Xu said openly to Shao's envoy, "Go back and tell Yuan Benchu this: brothers cannot abide one another—how could he make room for the finest men of the realm?" Xiu was startled and alarmed. "How could you go so far!" he said. He drew Xu aside and asked, "If that is how things stand, where should we turn?" Xu said, "Better to follow Lord Cao." Xiu said, "Yuan is strong and Cao weak, and we were Cao's enemies first—how could we submit to him?" Xu said, "That is precisely why you should follow him. Lord Cao holds the emperor to command the realm—that is the first reason to follow him; Yuan is powerful—if we join him with a small force, he will never value us highly; Lord Cao's forces are few—when he gains us he will surely be delighted. That is the second reason; a man with the ambition of a hegemon will set aside private grudges to show his virtue to the realm—that is the third reason. I urge you, General, to have no doubts!" In the eleventh month of winter, Xiu led his followers to surrender to Cao Cao. Cao took his hand and feasted with him in celebration, betrothed his son Jun to Xiu's daughter, and appointed him General Who Displays Martiality; he appointed Xu Bearer of the Mace and enfeoffed him as Marquis of the Capital Precinct. The Guanzhong generals, seeing Yuan and Cao locked in conflict, all held neutral and waited to see which way fortune turned. The Liangzhou governor Wei Duan sent his aide Yang Fu of Tianshui to visit Xu. When Fu returned, the Guanxi generals asked him, "Between Yuan and Cao, who will prevail?" Fu said, "Lord Yuan is generous but indecisive, fond of counsel but slow to act; Without decisiveness he lacks authority; with too little resolution he lets affairs drift. However strong he is today, he will never complete the great enterprise. Lord Cao has heroic talent and far-reaching strategy, acts without hesitation, unifies his laws and fields a honed army, and can employ extraordinary men who give their all in his service. He will surely bring the great enterprise to completion." Cao Cao sent the imperial clerk and attending censor Wei Ji of Hedong to pacify Guanzhong. Refugees were streaming home from every quarter, and the Guanzhong generals were recruiting them as private retainers. Ji wrote to Xun Yu: "Guanzhong is rich land that has lately been ravaged by chaos. More than a hundred thousand households fled into Jing Province, and now that they hear their homeland is secure, they yearn to return. But the returnees have no livelihood. The generals compete to recruit them as retainers, while the counties are too poor and weak to resist. The military clans grow ever stronger, and if trouble erupts, the consequences will be grave. Salt is one of the state's great treasures. Since the chaos it has been left unregulated. We should restore imperial agents to supervise its sale as before, use the revenue to buy plow oxen, and supply returning settlers so they can farm diligently and fill the granaries of Guanzhong. When distant refugees hear of this, they will rush home without pause. Station the Director of Retainers in Guanzhong as the supreme authority, and the generals will daily lose power while the civil administration grows. That is how we strengthen our foundation and weaken our foes." Yu reported this to Cao Cao, who adopted the plan. He dispatched the Master of Ceremonies to oversee the salt monopoly and stationed the Director of Retainers at Hongnong. Guanzhong thereupon submitted to his authority.

袁紹使人求助於劉表，表許之而竟不至，亦不援曹操。從事中郎南陽韓嵩、別駕零陵劉先說表曰：「今兩雄相持，天下之重在於將軍。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，賢俊多歸之，其勢必舉袁紹，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，乃遣嵩詣許，曰：「今天下未知所定，而曹操擁天子都許，君為我觀其釁。」嵩曰：「聖達節，次守節。嵩，守節者也。夫君臣名定，以死守之。今策名委質，唯將軍所命，雖赴湯蹈火，死無辭也。以嵩觀之，曹公必得志於天下。將軍能上順天子，下歸曹公，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，則嵩守天子之命，義不得復為將軍死也。惟加重思，無為負嵩！」表以為憚使，強之。至許，詔拜嵩侍中、零陵太守。及還，盛稱朝廷、曹公之德，勸表遣子入侍。表大怒，以為懷貳，大會寮屬，陳兵，持節，將斬之，數曰：「韓嵩敢懷貳邪！」眾皆恐，欲令嵩謝，嵩不為動容，徐謂表曰：「將軍負嵩，嵩不負將軍！」且陳前言。表妻蔡氏諫曰：「韓嵩，楚國之望也；且其言直，誅之無辭。」表猶怒，考殺從行者，知無它意，乃弗誅而囚之。

Yuan Shao sent envoys to beg aid from Liu Biao. Biao promised help but never came, and he did not aid Cao Cao either. The attendant gentleman Han Song of Nanyang and the separate-chariot administrator Liu Xian of Lingling urged Biao, saying, "The two great powers are locked in stalemate, and the fate of the realm rests with you, General. If you wish to act on your own, rise now and strike while they are exhausted; if not, you must choose which side to join. How can you hold a hundred thousand armored troops, sit idle while the contest is decided, fail to answer a plea for aid, and refuse to align yourself with the worthy? Both sides will surely turn their resentment upon you, and you will not be able to remain neutral. Cao Cao is a master of war, and the finest men flock to him. He will surely overcome Yuan Shao and then turn his armies toward the Yangzi and Han. I fear you will not be able to withstand him. The surest course now is to offer Jing Province to Cao Cao. He will surely reward you richly. You and your heirs will enjoy lasting prosperity. Your descendants will reap the benefit. That is the surest strategy of all." Kuai Yue urged the same course. Biao, hesitant and unable to decide, sent Song to Xu, saying, "The realm's outcome is still uncertain. Cao Cao holds the emperor at Xu—go observe his intentions for me." Song said, "The sage attains to integrity; next comes guarding integrity. I, Song, am one who guards integrity. When the bond between lord and minister is fixed, one defends it unto death. I have pledged my name and entrusted my person to you and obey only your command. Though I walk through fire, I will not refuse. As I see it, Lord Cao will surely prevail over the realm. If you, General, will follow the emperor above and submit to Lord Cao below, I may go; but if you still hesitate, once I reach the capital the emperor will grant me an office I cannot refuse, and I will become the emperor's minister—no longer your servant in any binding sense. Loyalty follows the throne: I would then owe my duty to the emperor and could not die for you, General. Think on this carefully, and do not place me in an impossible position!" Biao thought Song was merely afraid and compelled him to go. At Xu an edict appointed Song Attendant Within the Yellow Gates and Administrator of Lingling. On his return he lavishly praised the court and Lord Cao's virtue and urged Biao to send his son to attend at court. Biao flew into a rage, believing Song had turned disloyal. He convened his staff, arrayed troops, took up the staff of authority, and was about to execute him, crying, "Does Han Song dare to play the traitor?" The assembly was terrified and urged Song to apologize. Song did not flinch and said calmly, "You have wronged me, General—I have not wronged you!" He then repeated what he had said before his departure. Biao's wife, Lady Cai, remonstrated, saying, "Han Song is a man the Chu region looks up to; and his words are honest. To kill him would be unjustifiable." Biao was still angry. He tortured and killed Song's attendants, and finding no evidence of treachery, spared Song but imprisoned him.

揚州賊帥鄭寶欲略居民以赴江表，以淮南劉曄，高族名人，欲劫之使唱此謀，曄患之。會曹操遣使詣州，有所案問，曄要與歸家，寶來候使者，曄留與宴飲，手刃殺之，斬其首以令寶軍曰「曹公有令，敢有動者，與寶同罪！」其眾數千人皆龍言服，推曄為主。曄以其眾與廬江太守劉勳，勳怪其故，曄曰：「寶無法制，其眾素以鈔略為利。僕宿無資，而整齊之，必懷怨難久，故以相與耳！」勳以袁術部典眾多，不能贍，遣從弟偕求米於上繚諸宗帥，不能滿數，偕召勳使襲之。孫策惡勳兵強，偽卑辭以事勳曰：「上繚宗民數欺鄙郡，欲擊之，路不便。上繚甚富實，願君伐之，請出兵以為外援。」且以珠寶、葛越賂勳。勳大喜，外內盡賀，劉曄獨否，勳問其故，對曰：「上繚雖小，城堅池深，攻難守易，不可旬日而舉也。兵疲於外而國內虛，策乘虛襲我，則後不能獨守。是將軍進屈於敵，退無所歸，若軍必出，禍今至矣。」勳不聽，遂伐上繚；至海昏，宗帥知之，皆空壁逃遷，勳了無所得。時策引兵西擊黃祖，行及石城，聞勳在海昏，策乃分遣從兄賁、輔將八千人屯彭澤，自與領江夏太守周瑜將二萬人襲皖城，克之，得術、勳妻子及部曲三萬餘人；表汝南李術為廬江太守，給兵三千人以守皖城，皆徙所得民東詣吳。勳還至彭澤，孫賁、孫輔邀擊，破之。勳走保流沂，求救於黃祖，祖遣其子射率船軍五千人助勳。策復就攻勳，大破之，勳北歸曹操，射亦遁走。策收得勳兵二千餘人，船千艘，遂進擊黃祖。十二月，辛亥，策軍至沙羨，劉表遣從子虎及南陽韓晞，將長矛五千來救祖。甲寅，策與戰，大破之，斬晞。祖脫身走，獲其妻子及船六千艘，士卒殺溺死者數萬人。

The Yang Province bandit chieftain Zheng Bao planned to plunder the populace and flee south of the Yangzi. He wanted to seize Liu Ye of Huainan, a man of eminent lineage, and force him to lead the scheme. Ye was deeply troubled. When Cao Cao sent an envoy to the province on official business, Ye asked to accompany him home. Bao came to call on the envoy. Ye detained him for a feast, killed him with his own hand, and displayed the severed head before Bao's troops, proclaiming, "Lord Cao has decreed: whoever moves shall share Bao's guilt!" Several thousand men submitted in silence and made Ye their leader. Ye handed the force over to the Lujiang administrator Liu Xun. When Xun asked why, Ye said, "Bao had no discipline, and his men lived by plunder. I have no means to support them, and if I tried to discipline them they would resent me and not stay. That is why I give them to you!" Xun, unable to feed Yuan Shu's former troops in his service, sent his cousin Jie to beg grain from the Shangliao clan chieftains. When they failed to supply the full amount, Jie urged Xun to attack them. Sun Ce, alarmed by Xun's growing strength, addressed him with feigned humility: "The Shangliao clans have repeatedly harassed my territory, and I wish to strike them, but the route is inconvenient. Shangliao is rich and well stocked. I beg you to attack it, and I will send troops as your ally." He also sent jewels and the warrior Ge Yue as gifts. Xun was overjoyed, and everyone congratulated him—only Liu Ye objected. When Xun asked why, Ye replied, "Shangliao is small but its walls are strong and its moats deep. It is hard to attack and easy to defend, and cannot be taken in ten days. Your troops will be exhausted abroad while your base is empty. Ce will seize the opening and strike, and you will not be able to hold your ground alone. You will be humbled before the enemy in the field and have nowhere to retreat. If you march out, disaster is upon you now." Xun would not listen and marched against Shangliao. At Haihun the clan chieftains learned of his approach, abandoned their strongholds, and fled. Xun gained nothing. Ce was marching west against Huang Zu and had reached Shicheng when he learned Xun was at Haihun. He detached his cousins Sun Ben and Sun Fu with eight thousand men to hold Pengze, while he and the acting Jiangxia administrator Zhou Yu led twenty thousand in a surprise attack on Wancheng. The city fell, and he seized the families of Shu and Xun along with more than thirty thousand followers; appointed Li Shu of Runan Lujiang administrator, left three thousand troops to hold Wancheng, and resettled the captives eastward in Wu territory. Xun retreated to Pengze, where Sun Ben and Sun Fu intercepted and routed him. Xun fled to Liuyi and begged Huang Zu for aid. Zu sent his son She with a fleet of five thousand to help him. Ce pressed the attack, routed Xun utterly, and Xun fled north to Cao Cao while She also escaped. Ce took more than two thousand of Xun's troops and a thousand boats, then marched on Huang Zu. In the twelfth month, on the day xinhai, Ce's army reached Shaxian. Liu Biao sent his cousin Hu and Han Xi of Nanyang with five thousand pikemen to rescue Zu. On the day jiayin Ce engaged them, won a crushing victory, and beheaded Xi. Zu himself escaped, but Ce captured his family and six thousand boats. Tens of thousands of his men were killed or drowned.

策盛兵將徇豫章，屯於椒丘，謂功曹虞翻曰：「華子魚自有名字，然非吾敵也。若不開門讓城，金鼓一震，不得無所傷害。卿便在前，具宣孤意。」翻乃往見華歆曰：「竊聞明府與鄙郡故王府君齊名中州，海內所宗，雖在東垂，常懷瞻仰。」歆曰：「孤不如王會稽。」翻復曰：「不早豫章資糧器仗，士民勇果，孰與鄙郡？」歆曰：「大不如也。」翻曰：「明府言不如王會稽，謙光之譚耳；精兵不如會稽，實如尊教。孫討逆智略超世，用兵如神，前走劉揚州，君所親見；南定鄙郡，亦君所聞也。今欲守孤城，自料資糧，已知不足，不早為計，悔無及也。今大軍已次椒丘，僕便還去，明日日中迎檄不到者，與君辭矣。」歆曰：「久在江表，常欲北歸；孫會稽來，吾便去也。」乃夜作檄，明旦，遣吏繼迎。策便進軍，歆葛巾迎策，策謂歆曰：「府君年德名望，遠近所歸；策年幼稚，宜修子弟之禮。」便向歆拜，禮為上賓。

Ce gathered his forces to overrun Yuzhang and encamped at Jiaoqiu. He told the merit officer Yu Fan, "Hua Ziyu has a name, but he is no match for me. If he does not open the gates and yield the city, when the drums sound there will surely be bloodshed. Go before me and make my intentions plain." Fan went to see Hua Xin and said, "I have heard that you and the former Wang lord of our region were equally renowned in the central provinces and honored throughout the realm. Though we are in the eastern marches, we have long looked to you with admiration." Xin said, "I am not the equal of Wang of Kuaiji." Fan pressed on: "Were Yuzhang's stores, arms, and the courage of its people prepared in advance, how would they compare with our region?" Xin said, "Far inferior." Fan said, "When you say you are not Wang's equal, that is mere modesty; but that your elite troops are inferior to Kuaiji's is, as you yourself admit, the truth. Lord Sun the Campaigner Against Rebels surpasses his age in strategy and wields his army like a spirit. You saw with your own eyes how he routed Liu of Yang Province; and you have heard how he pacified our region to the south. If you mean to hold this isolated city, you know your stores are insufficient. If you do not act now, it will be too late for regret. The main army is already at Jiaoqiu. I return now. Tomorrow at noon, whoever has not come to receive the surrender order, I bid you farewell." Xin said, "I have long dwelt south of the Yangzi and often wished to return north. When Lord Sun of Kuaiji comes, I shall go." That night he drafted a surrender proclamation, and at dawn sent officials out in succession to welcome Ce's army. Ce advanced at once. Xin came out in plain hemp cloth to welcome him. Ce said, "Your years, virtue, and reputation draw men from far and near; I am young and ought to observe the rites due a junior kinsman." He bowed to Xin and treated him as a guest of the highest honor.

孫盛曰：歆既無夷、皓韜邈之風，又失王臣匪躬之操，橈心於邪儒之說，交臂於陵肆之徒，位奪節墮，咎孰大焉！

Sun Sheng wrote: Xin possessed neither the reclusive integrity of Boyi and Shuqi nor the unswerving loyalty of a minister who sacrifices himself for his lord. He bent his heart to perverse doctrine and clasped arms with insolent men—office seized, honor fallen. What fault could be greater?

策分豫章為廬陵郡，以孫賁為豫章太守，孫輔為廬陵太守。會僮芝病，輔遂進屯廬陵，留周瑜鎮巴丘。孫策之克皖城也，撫視袁術妻子；及入豫章，收載劉繇喪，善遇其家。士大夫以是稱之。會稽功曹魏騰嘗策意，策將殺之，眾憂恐，計無所出。策母吳夫人倚大井謂策曰：「汝新造江南，其事未集，方當優賢禮士，捨過錄功。魏功曹在公盡規，汝今日殺之，則明日人皆叛汝。吾不忍見禍之及，當先投此井中耳！」策大驚，遽釋騰。初，吳郡太守會稽盛憲舉高岱孝廉。許貢來領郡，岱將憲避難於營帥許昭家。烏程鄒佗、錢銅及嘉興王晟等各聚眾萬餘或數千人，不附孫策。策引兵撲討，皆破之，進攻嚴白虎。白虎兵敗，奔餘杭，投許昭。程普請擊昭，策曰：「許昭有義於舊君，有誠於故友，此丈夫之志也。」乃捨之。

Ce carved Luling commandery out of Yuzhang, appointing Sun Ben Yuzhang administrator and Sun Fu Luling administrator. When Tong Zhi fell ill, Fu advanced to garrison Luling while Zhou Yu was left to hold Baqiu. When Sun Ce took Wancheng, he treated Yuan Shu's family with care; and on entering Yuzhang he saw that Liu Yao received proper burial and treated Liu's family kindly. The gentry praised him for this. The Kuaiji merit officer Wei Teng had once opposed Ce's plans, and Ce was about to execute him. His officers were terrified and could think of no remedy. Ce's mother, Lady Wu, leaned on the great well and said to him, "You have only lately built your power in the south, and your enterprise is not yet secure. You should honor the worthy, treat scholars with courtesy, pardon faults, and reward merit. Wei remonstrated with you to the utmost. If you kill him today, tomorrow every man will turn against you. I cannot bear to see disaster overtake you—I will cast myself into this well first!" Ce was greatly startled and at once released Teng. Earlier the Wu commandery administrator Sheng Xian of Kuaiji had nominated Gao Dai as a filial and incorrupt candidate. When Xu Gong came to take the commandery, Dai led Xian to refuge at the camp commander Xu Zhao's home. Zou Tuo and Qian Tong of Wucheng, Wang Sheng of Jiaxing, and others each raised bands of ten thousand or several thousand men and refused to submit to Sun Ce. Ce led troops against them, defeated them all, and advanced to attack Yan Baihu. Baihu was defeated and fled to Yuhang, seeking refuge with Xu Zhao. Cheng Pu asked permission to attack Zhao. Ce said, "Xu Zhao showed loyalty to his former lord and faithfulness to an old friend. That is the conduct of a true man." He spared him.

曹操復屯官渡。操常從士徐他等謀殺操，入操帳，見校尉許褚，色變，褚覺而殺之。

Cao Cao again took up camp at Guandu. Among Cao Cao's personal attendants, Xu Ta and others plotted to assassinate him. They entered Cao's tent, saw the commandant Xu Chu, and their faces changed. Chu noticed and killed them.

初，車騎將軍董承稱受帝衣帶中密詔，與劉備謀誅曹操。操從容謂備曰：「今天下英雄，惟使君與操耳，本初之徒，不足數也！」備方食，失匕箸，值天雷震，備因曰：「聖人云：『迅雷風烈必變』，良有以也。」遂與承及長水校尉種輯、將軍吳子蘭、王服等同謀。會操遣備與朱靈邀袁術，程昱、郭嘉、董昭皆諫曰：「備不可遣也！」操悔，追之，不及。術既南走，朱靈等還。備遂殺徐州刺史車冑，留關羽守下邳，行太守事，身還小沛。東海賊昌豨及郡縣多叛操為備。備眾數萬人，遣使與袁紹連兵。操遣司空長史沛國劉岱、中郎將扶風王忠擊之，不克。備謂岱等曰：「使汝百人來，無如我何；曹公自來，未可知耳！」

Earlier, the general of chariots and cavalry Dong Cheng claimed he had received a secret edict concealed in the emperor's girdle and plotted with Liu Bei to kill Cao Cao. Cao Cao said calmly to Liu Bei, "Of all the heroes under heaven today, only you and I count. Benchu's sort are not worth mentioning!" Liu Bei was midway through his meal and dropped his spoon and chopsticks. Thunder crashed overhead, and Liu Bei seized the moment to say, "The sage said, 'When thunder rolls and the gale rises, one must change'—and he was right. He then joined Dong Cheng, the Changshui commandant Zhong Ji, the generals Wu Zilan and Wang Fu, and others in the conspiracy. When Cao Cao dispatched Liu Bei with Zhu Ling to intercept Yuan Shu, Cheng Yu, Guo Jia, and Dong Zhao all remonstrated: "Liu Bei must not be sent away! Cao Cao regretted it and gave chase but could not overtake him. After Yuan Shu fled south, Zhu Ling and the others returned. Liu Bei then killed the Xu province inspector Che Zhou, left Guan Yu to hold Xiapi and serve as acting administrator, and returned in person to Xiaopei. The Donghai bandit Chang Xi and many counties rebelled against Cao Cao to side with Liu Bei. Liu Bei mustered tens of thousands of followers and sent envoys to join Yuan Shao in alliance. Cao Cao sent the chief clerk of the minister of works Liu Dai of Pei and the general of the household Wang Zhong of Fufeng against him, but they failed to defeat him. Liu Bei said to Dai and the others, "Send a hundred men like you, and you will still be no match for me; but if Lord Cao comes in person—that is another matter entirely!"¹

春，正月，董承謀洩；壬子，曹操殺承及王服、種輯，皆夷三族。操欲自討劉備，諸將皆曰：「與公爭天下者，袁紹也，今紹方來而棄之東，紹乘人後，若何？」操曰：「劉備，人傑也，今不擊，必為後患。」郭嘉曰：「紹性遲而多疑，來必不速。備新起，眾心未附，急擊之，必敗。」操師遂東。冀州別駕田豐說袁紹曰：「曹操與劉備連兵，未可卒解。公舉軍而襲其後，可一往而定。」紹辭以子疾，未得行。豐舉杖擊地曰：「嗟乎！遭難遇之時，而以嬰兒病失其會，惜哉，事去矣！」曹操擊劉備，破之，獲其妻子；進拔下邳，禽關羽；又擊昌豨，破之。備奔青州，因袁譚以歸袁紹。紹聞備至，去鄴二百里迎之，駐月餘，所亡士卒稍稍歸之。

In the first month of spring, Dong Cheng's plot was exposed; On the day renzi, Cao Cao executed Dong Cheng, Wang Fu, and Zhong Ji, exterminating all three clans in each case. Cao Cao wished to march east against Liu Bei in person. His generals all said, "He who contests the realm with you is Yuan Shao. Shao is advancing even now—if you turn east and leave him behind, he will seize the opportunity from the rear. What then? Cao Cao said, "Liu Bei is a transcendent man. If we do not strike him down now, he will surely become a trouble hereafter. Guo Jia said, "Yuan Shao is slow by nature and much given to suspicion. When he moves, he will not be swift. Liu Bei has only just risen, and his followers' loyalty is not yet firm. Strike quickly and he will surely fall." Cao Cao's army marched east. Tian Feng, the Ji province administrator, urged Yuan Shao, "Cao Cao and Liu Bei are allied in arms. The crisis will not end quickly. Raise your whole army and strike him from the rear. One campaign and the matter will be settled." Yuan Shao declined, pleading his son's illness, and did not march. Tian Feng lifted his staff and struck the ground. "Alas!" he cried. In a crisis such as this, to lose the moment over a child's sickness! What a pity—the opportunity is gone!" Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei, routed him, and captured his wife and children; advanced to Xiapi and captured Guan Yu; and also defeated Chang Xi. Liu Bei fled to Qing province and, through Yuan Tan, rejoined Yuan Shao. When Yuan Shao heard Liu Bei had arrived, he went two hundred li from Ye to welcome him and kept him for more than a month. Liu Bei's scattered troops gradually returned.

曹操還軍官渡，紹乃議攻許，田豐曰：「曹操既破劉備，則許下非復空虛。且操善用兵，變化無方，眾雖少，未可輕也，今不如以久持之。將軍據山河之固，擁四州之眾，外結英雄，內修農戰，然後簡其精銳，分為奇兵，乘虛迭出以擾河南，救右則擊其左，救左則擊其右，使敵疲於奔命，民不得安業，我未勞而彼已困，不及三年，可坐克也。今釋廟勝之策而決成敗於一戰，若不如志，悔無及也。」紹不從。豐強諫忤紹，紹以為沮眾，械系之。於是移檄州郡，數操罪惡。二月，進軍黎陽。沮授臨行，會其宗族，散資財以與之曰：「勢存則威無不加，勢亡則不保一身，哀哉！」其弟宗曰：「曹操士馬不敵，君何懼焉？」授曰：「以曹操之明略，又挾天子以為資，我雖克伯珪，眾實疲敝，而主驕將忲，軍之破敗，在此舉矣。揚雄有言：『六國蚩蚩，為嬴弱姬。』其今之謂乎！」

Cao Cao returned to Guandu. Yuan Shao then debated attacking Xu. Tian Feng said, "Cao Cao has already defeated Liu Bei. Xu is no longer undefended. Moreover Cao Cao is skilled in war and changes his tactics without pattern. Though his forces are few, they must not be taken lightly. Better to wear him down over time. You hold the natural defenses of the Yellow River and Taihang, command the people of four provinces, win allies abroad, and train farmers for war at home. Then pick your best troops, divide them into mobile columns, and raid Henan again and again wherever the enemy is weak. When they reinforce one flank, strike the other; when they save the left, hit the right. Wear the enemy out in constant marches and rob the people of any peace. We need not exhaust ourselves while they collapse—in less than three years you can win without leaving your seat. Now you cast aside careful planning to stake everything on one battle. If it fails, there will be no undoing it." Yuan Shao refused to listen. Tian Feng pressed his advice until Yuan Shao took offense. Shao judged him a demoralizer and had him put in chains. He then sent a proclamation through the provinces, listing Cao Cao's crimes. In the second month he marched to Liyang. Before setting out, Ju Shou gathered his clan and divided his estate among them. "While fortune holds," he said, "power knows no limit. When fortune fails, a man cannot even save himself. How lamentable! His brother Ju Zong said, "Cao Cao's men and horses are no match for ours. Why so much fear? Ju Shou said, "Cao Cao is brilliant in counsel and holds the Son of Heaven as his weapon. Though we conquered Gongsun Zan, our army is exhausted. Our lord grows proud and our generals reckless. Defeat waits in this campaign. Yang Xiong wrote: 'The six states in chaos became Qin's tame concubines.' Is that not exactly our case today?"²

振威將軍程昱以七百兵守鄄城。曹操欲益昱兵二千，昱不肯，曰：「袁紹擁十萬眾，自以所向無前，今見昱少兵，必輕易，不來攻。若益昱兵，過則不可不攻，攻之必克，徒兩損其勢，願公無疑。」紹聞昱兵少，果不往，操謂賈詡曰：「程昱之膽，過於賁、育矣！」

Cheng Yu, general who displays martial power, held Juancheng with seven hundred men. Cao Cao wanted to reinforce him with two thousand more men. Cheng Yu refused. "Yuan Shao commands a hundred thousand men and deems himself invincible," he said. "Seeing my few troops, he will surely despise the target and leave us alone. If you strengthen my garrison, he cannot pass without attacking; and if he attacks, he must take the city—wasting strength on both sides for nothing. Have no fear, my lord." Yuan Shao heard how few Cheng Yu's men were and, as predicted, did not attack. Cao Cao told Jia Xu, "Cheng Yu's courage surpasses that of Meng Ben and Xia Yu!³

袁紹遣其將顏良攻東郡太守劉延於白馬，沮授曰：「良性促狹，雖驍勇，不可獨任。」紹不聽。夏，四月，曹操北救劉延。荀攸曰：「今兵少不敵，必分其勢乃可。公到延津，若將渡兵向其後者，紹必西應之，然後輕兵襲白馬，掩其不備，顏良可禽也。」操從之，紹聞兵渡，即分兵西邀之。操乃引軍兼行趣白馬，未至十餘里，良大驚，來逆戰。操使張遼、關羽先登擊之。羽望見良麾蓋，策馬刺良於萬眾之中，斬其首而還，紹軍莫能當者。遂解白馬之圍，徙其民，循河而西。

Yuan Shao sent his general Yan Liang to attack Liu Yan, administrator of Dong commandery, at Baima. Ju Shou warned, "Yan Liang is impulsive and narrow-minded. Brave as he is, he should not be given independent command. Yuan Shao would not listen. In the fourth month of summer, Cao Cao marched north to relieve Liu Yan. Xun You said, "We are too few to meet him head-on. We must split his strength first. March to Yanjin and feign crossing the river against his rear. Shao will wheel west to meet you. Then strike Baima with a light column before he is ready, and Yan Liang can be taken." Cao Cao agreed. When Shao heard the river crossing, he split his forces to block them in the west. Cao Cao then drove his army at speed toward Baima. Less than ten li away, Yan Liang was alarmed and rode out to give battle. Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu at the head of the assault. Guan Yu spotted Yan Liang's command banner, spurred his horse through ten thousand men, ran him through, and returned with his head. No one in Shao's army could stop him. The siege of Baima was lifted. Cao Cao evacuated the populace and withdrew west along the river.

紹渡河追之，沮授諫曰：「勝負變化，不可不詳。今宜留屯延津；分兵官渡，若其克獲，還迎不晚，設其有難，眾弗可還。」紹弗從。授臨濟歎曰：「上盈其志，下務其功，悠悠黃河，吾其濟乎！」遂以疾辭。紹不許而意恨之，復省其所部並屬郭圖。紹軍至延津南，操勒兵駐營南阪下，使登壘望之，曰：「可五六百騎。」有頃，復白：「騎稍多，步兵不可勝數。」操曰：「勿復白。」令騎解鞍放馬。是時，白馬輜重就道，諸將以為敵騎多，不如還保營。荀攸曰：「此所以餌敵，如何去之！」操顧攸而笑。紹騎將文丑與劉備將五六千騎前後至。諸將復白：「可上馬。」操曰：「未也。」有頃，騎至稍多，或分趣輜重。操曰：「可矣！」乃皆上馬。時騎不滿六百，遂縱兵擊，大破之，斬丑。丑與顏良，皆紹名將也，再戰，悉禽之，紹軍奪氣。

Yuan Shao crossed the river in pursuit. Ju Shou remonstrated, "Fortunes of war are changeable. This must be weighed carefully. Hold Yanjin with a strong camp; and detach troops toward Guandu. If they succeed, it is not too late to welcome them back. If disaster strikes, the whole army may not return." Yuan Shao refused. At the ford Ju Shou sighed, "Our lord's ambition runs too high, and his officers chase glory. Vast Yellow River—shall I ever cross back? He then pleaded illness and asked to be relieved. Yuan Shao refused but nursed resentment, stripped him of command, and merged his troops under Guo Tu. Shao's army reached the south bank of Yanjin. Cao Cao drew up on the southern slope and sent scouts onto the ramparts. "Five or six hundred horsemen, no more," he said. A moment later they reported again: "More horsemen—infantry beyond count." Say no more," Cao Cao ordered. He had the horsemen unsaddle and turn their mounts loose. Baima's supply train was still on the road. His generals, seeing the enemy cavalry massing, wanted to fall back and protect the camp. Xun You said, "This is bait for the enemy. How can we abandon it? Cao Cao glanced at Xun You and smiled. Shao's cavalry general Wen Chou arrived with Liu Bei's five or six thousand horsemen, one column after another. His officers reported again, "We should mount." Not yet," Cao Cao said. A little later more horsemen arrived, some peeling off toward the supply train. Cao Cao cried, "Now!" Every man mounted. They had fewer than six hundred horsemen. Cao Cao charged, broke the enemy, and beheaded Wen Chou. Wen Chou and Yan Liang were Shao's star generals. In two fights both were slain, and Shao's army lost heart.

初，操壯關羽之為人，而察其心神無久留之意，使張遼以其情問之，羽歎曰：「吾極知曹公待我厚；然吾受劉將軍恩，誓以共死，不可背之。吾終不留，要當立效以報曹公乃去耳。」遼以羽言報操，操義之，及羽殺顏良，操知其必去，重加賞賜。羽盡封其所賜，拜書告辭，而奔劉備於袁軍。左右欲追之，操曰：「彼各為其主，勿追也。」

Earlier Cao Cao admired Guan Yu's character but saw he would not stay. He had Zhang Liao sound him out. Guan Yu sighed and said, "I know well how generously Lord Cao treats me; yet I owe General Liu a deep debt and swore to live and die with him. I cannot betray him. I will not stay forever. I must first repay Lord Cao with a deed of merit, and then go." Zhang Liao reported this to Cao Cao, who honored his loyalty. After Guan Yu killed Yan Liang, Cao Cao knew he would leave and heaped further honors on him. Guan Yu sealed up every gift he had received, wrote a letter of farewell, and rode off to Liu Bei in Yuan Shao's camp. His attendants wanted to give chase. Cao Cao said, "Each man serves his own lord. Let him go.⁴

操還軍官渡，閻柔遣使詣操，操以柔為烏桓校尉。鮮于輔身見操於官渡，操以輔為右度遼將軍，還鎮幽土。

Cao Cao returned to Guandu. Yan Rou sent an envoy, and Cao Cao appointed him colonel of the Wuhuan. Xianyu Fu came in person to Guandu. Cao Cao appointed him general who crosses the Liao on the right and sent him back to guard You province.

廣陵太守陳登治射陽，孫策西擊黃祖，登誘嚴白虎餘黨，圖為後害，策還擊登，軍到丹徒，須待運糧。初，策殺吳郡太守許貢，貢奴客潛民間，欲為貢報仇。策性好獵，數出驅馳，所乘馬精駿，從騎絕不能及，卒遇貢客三人，射策中頰，後騎尋至，皆刺殺之。策創甚，召張昭等謂曰：「中國方亂，以吳、越之眾，三江之固，足以觀成敗，公等善相吾弟！」呼權，佩以印綬，謂曰：「舉江東之眾，決機於兩陳之間，與天下爭衡，卿不如我；舉賢任能，各盡其心以保江東，我不如卿。」丙年，策卒，時年二十六。權悲號，未視事，張昭曰：「孝廉，此寧哭時邪！」乃改易權服，扶令上馬，使出巡軍。昭率僚屬，上表朝廷，下移屬城，中外將校，各令奉職，周瑜自巴丘將兵赴喪，遂留吳，以中護軍與張昭共掌眾事。時策雖有會稽、吳郡、丹楊、豫章、廬江、廬陵，然深險之地，猶未盡從，流寓之士，皆以安危去就為意，未有君臣之固，而張昭、周瑜等謂權可與共成大業，遂委心而服事焉。

Chen Deng, administrator of Guangling, held Sheyang. Sun Ce was marching west against Huang Zu when Deng stirred up Yan Baihu's remnants to strike from the rear. Ce wheeled about to attack him. His army reached Dantu and halted to await supplies. Earlier Sun Ce had killed Xu Gong, the Wu commandery administrator. Gong's retainers hid among the people, plotting revenge. Sun Ce loved the hunt and often rode out at speed on a superb horse, leaving his escort far behind. Three of Xu Gong's men ambushed him and shot him in the cheek. His escort caught up and killed them all. Sun Ce's wound was grave. He summoned Zhang Zhao and the others and said, "The heartland is in chaos. With the troops of Wu and Yue and the barrier of the Three Rivers, fortune can still be judged. Gentlemen, look after my brother! He called Sun Quan, invested him with seal and ribbon, and said, "In leading Jiangdong's armies and choosing the decisive stroke between battle lines, in competing with the realm—you are not my equal; but in appointing the worthy and trusting men of talent, so that each gives his all to hold Jiangdong—I am not your equal." Sun Ce died in the bingwu year, aged twenty-six. Sun Quan wailed and had not yet taken up his duties. Zhang Zhao said, "Young lord, is this a time for tears? He changed Sun Quan's mourning dress, helped him onto a horse, and sent him out to review the army. Zhang Zhao led the staff, memorialized the court, and sent orders to every subject city; commanders at every level were told to hold their posts. Zhou Yu marched from Baxiu with troops for the funeral, then stayed at Wu, sharing command as Central Protector of the Army with Zhang Zhao. Sun Ce had held Kuaiji, Wu, Danyang, Yuzhang, Lujiang, and Luling, but the deep mountain country was not yet fully pacified. Wandering scholars weighed safety and flight; lord and subject bonds were still unsettled. Zhang Zhao, Zhou Yu, and others believed Sun Quan could carry the great work forward, and gave him their wholehearted service.

秋，七月，立皇子馮為南陽王；壬午，馮薨。

In autumn, the seventh month, the emperor made his son Feng prince of Nanyang; On rennwu day Prince Feng died.

汝南黃巾劉辟等叛曹操應袁紹，紹遣劉備將兵助辟，郡縣多應之。紹遣使拜陽安都尉李通為征南將軍，劉表亦陰招之，通皆拒焉。或勸通從紹，通按劍叱之曰：「曹公明哲，必定天下；紹雖強盛，終為之虜耳。吾以死不貳。」即斬紹使，送印綬詣操。通急錄戶調，朗陵長趙儼見通曰：「方今諸郡並叛，獨陽安懷附，復趣收其綿絹，小人樂亂，無乃不可乎？」通曰：「公與袁紹相持甚急，左右郡縣背叛乃爾，若綿絹不調送，觀聽者必謂我顧望，有所須待也。」儼曰：「誠亦如君慮，然當權其輕重。小緩調，當為君釋此患。」乃書與荀彧曰：「今陽安郡百姓困窮，鄰城並叛，易用傾蕩，乃一方安危之機也。且此郡人執守忠節，在險不貳，以為國家宜垂慰撫。而更急斂綿絹，何以勸善！」彧即白操，悉以綿絹還民，上下歡喜，郡內遂安。通擊群賊瞿恭等，皆破之。遂定淮、汝之地。時操制新科，下州郡，頗增嚴峻，而調綿絹方急。長廣太守何夔言於操曰：「先王辨九服之賦以殊遠近，制三典之刑以平治亂。愚以為此郡宜依遠域新邦之典，其民間小事，使長吏臨時隨宜，上不背正法，下以順百姓之心。比及三年，民安其業，然後乃可齊之以法也。」操從之。

In Runan, Yellow Turban Liu Pi and others revolted against Cao Cao to support Yuan Shao. Shao dispatched Liu Bei with troops to aid Pi, and many districts rose with them. Shao sent envoys offering Li Tong, commandant of Yang'an, the title General Who Suppresses the South; Liu Biao also wooed him in secret. Tong turned them both down. Some urged Tong to side with Shao. Tong gripped his sword and cried out: "Lord Cao is discerning and will unite the realm; strong as Shao is, he will end as Cao's prisoner. I will die before I serve two masters." He beheaded Shao's envoy at once and delivered the seal and ribbon to Cao Cao. Tong urgently pressed for household taxes. Langling magistrate Zhao Yi came to him and said, "Every district is in revolt while Yang'an alone stays loyal—yet you rush to seize their silk and cloth. Ordinary folk love turmoil; can this be wise? Tong said, "My lord is locked with Yuan Shao in a desperate standoff. Neighboring districts have already gone over. If I fail to deliver the silk levies, onlookers will say I am hedging my bets. Yi said, "You have a point, but we must weigh priorities. Delay the levy slightly—I will clear this danger for you." He wrote Xun Yu: "The people of Yang'an are exhausted; neighboring cities have all rebelled and may topple at a touch. The safety of the whole region hangs on this. These people have stood firm in loyalty through danger. The state ought to reward that, not punish it. Yet you squeeze them harder for silk and cotton—how does that encourage loyalty?" Xun Yu reported at once to Cao Cao, who returned every bolt to the people. High and low rejoiced, and the commandery settled. Tong routed the bandit chiefs Qu Gong and the rest. He thereby pacified the Huai and Ru regions. Cao Cao had just issued stern new laws to every commandery, even as the silk levy pressed hardest. Changguang administrator He Kui told Cao Cao: "The ancient kings graded tribute by distance and set three tiers of law to steady kingdoms in chaos or peace. This district should be governed like a distant frontier or new possession. Let local officers handle petty affairs as need arises—keeping to the law above while winning the people's trust below. Give the people three years to settle into their work, then apply the code evenly." Cao Cao agreed.

劉備略汝、穎之間，自許以南，吏民不安，曹操患之。曹仁曰：「南方以大軍方有目前急，其勢不能相救，劉備以強兵臨之，其背叛故宜也。備新將紹兵，未能得其用，擊之，可破也。」操乃使仁將騎擊備，破走之，盡復收諸叛縣而還。備還至紹軍，陰欲離紹，乃說紹南連劉表。紹遣備將本兵復至汝南，與賊龔都等合，眾數千人。曹操遣將蔡楊擊之，為備所殺。

Liu Bei raided between the Ru and Ying; south of Xu, officials and commoners grew restless, and Cao Cao worried. Cao Ren said, "The south cannot be helped while our main force faces urgent business here. Liu Bei brings a strong army; rebellion is only natural. He has only just taken Shao's troops and cannot yet wield them well. Strike now and we can break him." Cao Cao sent Ren with cavalry against Liu Bei, routed him, recaptured every rebel county, and returned. Liu Bei rejoined Shao's camp but wished to break away and urged Shao to ally with Liu Biao in the south. Shao sent Liu Bei back to Runan with his own troops; he joined bandit chief Gong Du and others, raising several thousand men. Cao Cao sent General Cai Yang against him; Liu Bei killed him.

袁紹軍陽武，沮授說紹曰：「北兵雖眾而勁果不及南，南軍谷少而資儲不如北；南幸於急戰，北利在緩師。宜徐持久，曠以日月。」紹不從。八月，紹進營稍前，依沙堆為屯，東西數十里。操亦分營與相當。

Yuan Shao camped at Yangwu. Ju Shou urged him: "Your northern army is larger, but not as fierce as Cao's; Cao has less grain, but you are worse supplied; the south favors a quick fight, the north a war of attrition. Hold back and wear them down day by day." Shao refused. In the eighth month Shao pushed his lines forward, building camps on sand knolls that stretched for miles east and west. Cao Cao matched him camp for camp.

九月，庚午朔，日有食之。

In the ninth month, on the first day (gengwu), the sun was eclipsed.

曹操出兵與袁紹戰，不勝，復還，堅壁。紹為高櫓，起土山，射營中，營中皆蒙楯而行。操乃為霹靂車，發石以擊紹樓，皆破，紹復為地道攻操，操輒於內為長塹以拒之。操眾少糧盡，士卒疲乏，百姓困於徵賦，多叛歸紹者，操患之，與荀彧書，議欲還許，以致紹師。彧報曰：「紹悉眾聚官渡，欲與公決勝敗。公以至弱當至強，若不能制，必為所乘，是天下之大機也。且紹，布衣之雄耳，能聚人而不能用。以公之神武明哲而輔以大順，何向而不濟！今谷食雖少，未若楚、漢在滎陽、成皋間也。是時劉、項莫肯先退者，以為先退則勢屈也。公以十分居一之眾，畫地而守之，扼其喉而不得進，已半年矣。情見勢竭，必將有變。此用奇之時，不可失也。」操從之，乃堅壁持之。操見運者，撫之曰：「卻十五日為汝破紹，不復勞汝矣。」紹運谷車數千乘至官渡。荀攸言於操曰：「紹運車旦暮至，其將韓猛銳而輕敵。擊，可破也！」操曰：「誰可使者？」攸曰：「徐晃可。」乃遣偏將軍河東徐晃與史渙邀擊猛，破走之，燒其輜重。

Cao Cao marched out to fight Yuan Shao, was defeated, withdrew, and dug in. Shao built towers and earthworks to rain arrows into Cao's camp; men moved only under shields. Cao built catapults to smash Shao's towers, then dug counter-trenches when Shao tried mining. Cao Cao's army was dwindling and starving; his men were exhausted; heavy levies drove villagers to defect to Shao. Troubled, he wrote Xun Yu proposing retreat to Xu to draw Shao off. Xun Yu replied: "Shao has massed his full strength at Guandu to settle this with you. You are at your weakest facing his strongest. If you cannot master him here, he will master you—and the fate of the realm turns on it. Shao is a mere commoner's champion: he can assemble men but not command them. With your brilliance and the Mandate behind you, what could fail? Grain is scarce, but not as scarce as when Liu Bang and Xiang Yu fought at Xingyang and Chenggao. Neither Liu Bang nor Xiang Yu would yield first; each feared that retreat meant defeat. You hold the line with one man for every ten of his, barring his throat for half a year already. His spirit is broken and his strength spent—something must give. This is the moment for a daring stroke. Do not miss it." Cao Cao took his advice and dug in to wait. Meeting supply carriers, he told them, "In fifteen days I will break Shao for you—your labor ends soon. Shao's grain train—thousands of carts—reached Guandu. Xun You told Cao Cao: "Shao's grain carts will arrive any hour. His escort commander Han Meng is bold and careless. Hit him and you can break him!" Cao Cao asked, "Who should go? Xun You said, "Xu Huang. He sent Lieutenant General Xu Huang of Hedong with Shi Huan to ambush Han Meng, routed him, and burned the supplies.

冬，十月，紹復遣車運谷，使其將淳于瓊等將兵萬餘人送人，宿紹營北四十里。沮授說紹：「可遣蔣奇別為支軍於表，以絕曹操之鈔。」紹不從。許攸曰：「曹操兵少而悉師拒我，許下餘守，勢必空弱。若分遣輕軍，星行掩襲，許可拔也。許拔，則奉迎天子以討操，操成禽矣。如其未潰，可令首尾奔命，破之必也。」紹不從，曰：「吾要當先取操。」會攸家犯法，審配收系之，攸怒，遂奔操。操聞攸來，跣出迎之，撫掌笑曰：「子卿遠來，吾事濟矣！」既入坐，謂操曰：「袁氏軍盛，何以待之？今有幾糧乎？」操曰：「尚可支一歲。」攸曰：「無是，更言之！」又曰：「可支半歲。」攸曰：「足下不欲破袁氏邪！何言之不實也！」操曰：「向言戲之耳。其實可一月，為之奈何？」攸曰：「公孤軍獨守，外無救援而糧谷已盡，此危急之日也。袁氏輜重萬餘乘，在故市、烏巢，屯軍無嚴備，若以輕兵襲之，不意而至，燔其積聚，不過三日，袁氏自敗也。」

In winter, the tenth month, Shao sent another grain convoy under Chunyu Qiong and others with more than ten thousand men, camping forty li north of his main army. Ju Shou urged: "Send Jiang Qi with a separate force to block Cao's raiding parties. Shao refused. Xu You said: "Cao Cao's army is small and his whole force blocks us here. Whatever guards Xu must be weak. Send light troops in a swift night raid and you can take Xu. Seize Xu, welcome the emperor, and march against Cao—and Cao is yours. If he does not fall at once, split his forces and harry him front and rear—you will surely break him." Shao refused: "I mean to finish Cao first. Meanwhile Xu You's family ran afoul of the law; Shen Pei had them arrested. Furious, Xu You defected to Cao Cao. Hearing Xu You had arrived, Cao Cao ran out barefoot to greet him, laughing and clapping: "Ziqing, you have come—my cause is saved! Once seated, Xu You asked: "Yuan Shao's army is vast. What is your plan? How much grain do you have?" Cao Cao said, "Enough for a year. Xu You said, "Nonsense. Try again. Cao Cao said, "Half a year, then. Xu You snapped: "Do you mean to defeat Yuan Shao or not? Why lie to me?" Cao Cao laughed: "I was joking. In truth, one month. What now?" Xu You said: "You stand alone with no help coming and no grain left. This is the crisis hour. Yuan Shao's supply train—more than ten thousand carts—lies at Gushi and Wuchao, lightly guarded. Strike with a small force, take them unaware, burn the stores, and within three days Yuan Shao will destroy himself."⁵

操大喜，乃留曹洪、荀攸守營，自將步騎五千人，皆用袁軍旗幟，銜枚縛馬口，夜從間道出，人抱束薪，所歷道有問者，語之曰：「袁公恐曹操鈔略後軍，遣軍以益備。」聞者信以為然，皆自若。既至，圍屯，大放火，營中驚亂。會明，瓊等望見操兵少，出陳門外，操急擊之，瓊退保營，操遂攻之。紹聞操擊瓊，謂其子譚曰：「就操破瓊，吾拔其營，彼固無所歸矣！」乃使其將高覽、張郃等攻操營。郃曰：「曹公精兵往，必破瓊等，瓊等破，則事去矣，請先往救之。」郭圖固請攻操營。郃曰：「曹公營固，攻之必不拔。若瓊等見禽，吾屬盡為虜矣。」紹但遣輕騎救瓊，而以重兵攻操營，不能下。紹騎至烏巢，操左右或言：「賊騎稍近，請分兵拒之。」操怒曰：「賊在背後，乃白！」士卒皆殊死戰，遂大破之，斬瓊等，盡燔其糧谷，殺士卒千餘人，皆取其鼻，牛馬割脣舌，以示紹軍，紹軍將士皆恟懼。郭圖慚其計之失，復譖張郃於紹曰：「郃快軍敗。」郃忿懼，遂與高覽焚攻具，詣操營降。曹洪疑，不敢受，荀攸曰：「郃計畫不用，怒而來奔，君有何疑！」乃受之。於是紹軍驚擾，大潰，紹及譚等幅巾乘馬，與八百騎渡河。操追之不及，盡收其輜重、圖書、珍寶。餘眾降者，操盡坑之，前後所殺七萬餘人。沮授不及紹渡，為操軍所執，乃大呼曰：「授不降也，為所執耳！」操與之有舊，迎謂曰：「分野殊異，遂用圮絕，不圖今日乃相禽也！」授曰：「冀州失策，自取奔北。授知力俱困，宜其見禽。」操曰：「本初無謀，不相用計，今喪亂未定，方當與君圖之。」授曰：「叔父、母弟，縣命袁氏，若蒙公靈，速死為福。」操歎曰：「孤早相得，天下不足慮也。」遂赦而厚遇焉。授尋謀歸袁氏，操乃殺之。操收紹書中，得許下及軍中人書，皆焚之，曰：「當紹之強，孤猶不能自保，況眾人乎！」

Cao Cao was delighted. He left Cao Hong and Xun You to hold camp and led five thousand foot and horse in Yuan banners, gags in their mouths and horses muffled. They slipped out by a hidden route at night, each man carrying kindling. When challenged on the road they said, "Lord Yuan fears Cao Cao may raid the rear and sent us to reinforce the depot. Believing them, the sentries never stirred. They reached the depot, encircled it, and lit a great fire. The camp erupted in panic. At dawn Chunyu Qiong saw how few Cao's men were and marched out to fight. Cao Cao struck hard; Qiong fell back into camp, and Cao pressed the assault. Learning Cao Cao was attacking Qiong, Shao told his son Tan, "Let Cao break Qiong—I will take his camp and leave him nowhere to run! He ordered Gao Lan, Zhang He, and others to storm Cao Cao's camp. Zhang He said: "Cao Cao's best troops are at Wuchao. They will break Qiong—and when Qiong falls, everything falls. Send us to relieve him first. Guo Tu insisted on attacking Cao's camp instead. Zhang He said: "Cao Cao's camp is solid. You cannot take it. If Qiong is captured, we all become prisoners." Shao sent only light cavalry to Wuchao and kept his main force hammering Cao's camp—which held. Shao's cavalry reached Wuchao. A staff officer warned Cao Cao: "Enemy horse are approaching—divide the force to hold them off. Cao Cao raged: "Tell me when they are on our backs, not before! His men fought like men with nothing left to lose. They smashed the depot, killed Qiong and his officers, burned every granary, slaughtered more than a thousand men, cut off their noses and the lips and tongues of cattle and horses, and displayed them to Shao's army. Panic spread through Shao's ranks. Guo Tu, shamed by his own bad counsel, again slandered Zhang He to Shao: "He is glad we lost. Enraged and afraid, Zhang He and Gao Lan burned their siege equipment and defected to Cao Cao's camp. Cao Hong hesitated to accept them. Xun You said: "Zhang He's counsel was ignored and he came here in rage—why doubt him? Hong accepted the surrender. Shao's army panicked and collapsed. Shao, Tan, and their companions tied plain cloths about their heads, mounted horses, and fled across the river with eight hundred riders. Cao Cao could not catch them but seized every wagon train, archive, and treasure they left behind. Those who surrendered were buried alive. The dead numbered more than seventy thousand. Ju Shou failed to cross with Shao and was taken. He shouted: "I am not surrendering—I was captured! Cao Cao, who knew him of old, came forward: "Fortune set us in different realms and tore us apart—I never dreamed we would meet like this, hunter and hunted! Ju Shou replied: "Ji Province was mishandled. Shao brought this rout on himself. With his counsel and strength both spent, capture was inevitable." Cao Cao said: "Benchu had no sense and ignored your plans. The realm is still unsettled—I mean to work this out with you. Ju Shou said: "My kinsmen are bound to the Yuans. If you show mercy, let it be a quick death. Cao Cao sighed: "If I had had you from the first, the empire would hold no fears for me. He spared Ju Shou and treated him with honor. Ju Shou soon tried to rejoin the Yuans. Cao Cao had him killed. Among Shao's papers Cao Cao found letters from men in Xudu and from his own army. He burned them all. "When Shao was at his height I could barely save myself—who could blame the rest?⁶

冀州城邑多降於操。袁紹走至黎陽北岸，入其將軍蔣義渠營，把其手曰：「孤以首領相付矣！」義渠避帳而處之，使宣號令。眾聞紹在，稍復歸之。或謂田豐曰：「君必見重矣。」豐曰：「公貌寬而內忌，不亮吾忠，而吾數以至言迕之，若勝而喜，猶能赦我，今戰敗而恚，內忌將發，吾不望生。」紹軍士皆拊膺泣曰：「向令田豐在此，必不至於敗。」紹謂逄紀曰：「冀州諸人聞吾軍敗，皆當念吾，惟田別駕前諫止吾，與眾不同，吾亦慚之。」紀曰：「豐聞將軍之退，拊手大笑，喜其言之中也。」紹於是謂僚屬曰：「吾不用田豐言，果為所笑。」遂殺之。初，曹操聞豐不從戎，喜曰：「紹必敗矣。」及紹奔遁，復曰：「向使紹用其別駕計，尚未可知也。」審配二子為操所禽，紹將孟岱言於紹曰：「配在位專政，族大兵強，且二子在南，必懷反計。」郭圖、辛評亦以為然。紹遂以岱為監軍，代配守鄴。護軍逄紀素與配不睦，紹以問之，紀曰：「配天性烈直，每慕古人之節，必不以二子在南為不義也。願公勿疑。」紹曰：「君不惡之邪？」紀曰：「先所爭者，私情也；今所陳者，國事也。」紹曰：「善！」乃不廢配，配由是更與紀親。冀州城邑叛紹者，紹稍復擊定之。紹為人寬雅，有局度，喜怒不形於色，而性矜愎自高，短於從善，故至於敗。

City after city in Ji Province surrendered to Cao Cao. Yuan Shao fled to the north bank of the Liyang ford and entered the camp of his general Jiang Yiqu. Taking Yiqu's hand, he said: "My life is in your hands! Yiqu vacated his own tent for Shao and issued orders in his name. When the troops learned Shao was alive, they slowly rallied to him again. Some told Tian Feng: "Shao will honor you now. Feng replied: "He looks generous but broods within. He never trusted my loyalty, and I spoke hard truth too often. Had we won, he might have spared me. Now, beaten and furious, his spite will surface—I do not expect to live. Shao's soldiers beat their chests and wept: "If Tian Feng had been with us, we would never have lost like this. Shao told Pang Ji: "When the men of Ji Province hear we were routed, they will pity me—except Tian Feng, who warned me before and stood alone against the rest. I am ashamed of that as well. Ji said: "When Feng heard of your retreat, he clapped his hands and laughed—delighted that his warning had come true. Shao then told his officers: "I ignored Tian Feng, and now he mocks me for it. He had Tian Feng executed. Earlier, when Cao Cao learned Tian Feng was not joining the campaign, he rejoiced: "Shao is doomed. When Shao fled in defeat, Cao Cao added: "Had Shao listened to his deputy director, the outcome might still be in doubt. Shen Pei's two sons had been captured by Cao Cao. Shao's general Meng Dai warned him: "Pei monopolizes power, his clan is large and his army strong, and with both sons held in the south he must be plotting treason. Guo Tu and Xin Ping agreed. Shao made Meng Dai army inspector and sent him to hold Ye in Shen Pei's place. Army Protector Pang Ji had long feuded with Shen Pei. Shao asked his view. Ji said: "Pei is fierce and upright by nature and models himself on the ancients—he would not turn traitor just because his sons are captive in the south. Do not doubt him, my lord." Shao asked: "Do you not hate him? Ji replied: "What we quarreled over before was personal; what I speak of now is the state's business." Shao said: "Well said! Shao kept Shen Pei in office, and Pei and Ji grew closer from that day. Shao gradually reconquered the Ji Province towns that had turned against him. Shao was gracious and measured, never showing anger or delight on his face—but he was proud, stubborn, and slow to heed good counsel, and that was how he came to ruin.

冬，十月，辛亥，有星孛於大梁。

In winter, in the tenth month, on the day xinhai, a comet blazed in the Daliang constellation.

廬江太守李術攻殺揚州刺史嚴象，廬江梅乾、雷緒、陳蘭等各聚眾數萬在江淮間。曹操表沛國劉馥為揚州刺史。時揚州獨有九江，馥單馬造合肥空城，建立州治，招懷乾、緒等，皆貢獻相繼。數年中，恩化大行，流民歸者以萬數。於是廣屯田，興陂堨；官民有畜，乃聚諸生，立學校；又高為城壘，多積木石，以修戰守之備。

Li Shu, Administrator of Lujiang, attacked and killed Yan Xiang, Inspector of Yang Province. Mei Gan, Lei Xu, Chen Lan, and others in Lujiang each raised armies of tens of thousands between the Yangtze and the Huai. Cao Cao recommended Liu Fu of Pei commandery as Inspector of Yang Province. Yang Province then held only Jiujiang. Fu rode alone into the empty city of Hefei, set up the provincial seat, and by conciliation won over Gan, Xu, and the rest—they sent tribute in an unbroken stream. Within a few years his benevolent rule took hold, and displaced people returned by the tens of thousands. He greatly expanded government farming and built dykes and embankments; when officials and commoners had stores in hand, he gathered scholars and founded schools; and he raised the walls high and stockpiled timber and stone for war and defense.

曹操聞孫策死，欲因喪伐之。侍御史張紘諫曰：「乘人之喪，既非古義，若其不克，成仇棄好，不如因而厚之。」操即表權為討虜將軍，領會稽太守。操欲令紘輔權內附，及以紘為會稽東部都尉。紘至吳，太夫人以權年少，委紘與張昭共輔之。紘惟補察，知無不為。太夫人問揚武都尉會稽董襲曰：「江東可保不？」襲曰：「江東有山川之固，而討逆明府恩德在民，討虜承基，大小用命，張昭秉眾事，襲等為爪牙，此地利人和之時也，萬無所憂。」權遺張紘之部，或以紘本受北任，嫌其志趣不止於此，權不以介意。

When Cao Cao heard Sun Ce was dead, he wanted to strike while the house of Sun was in mourning. Remonstrating Counselor Zhang Hong objected: "Attacking a house in mourning is not the way of antiquity. If you fail, you make an enemy and lose a friend—it is better to treat them generously instead. Cao Cao at once recommended Sun Quan as General Who Exterminates Barbarians and Administrator of Kuaiji. Cao Cao wanted Zhang Hong to help bring Sun Quan into the fold, and appointed Hong Eastern Commandant of Kuaiji. When Zhang Hong reached Wu, the Dowager Lady, seeing Sun Quan was still young, entrusted him and Zhang Zhao to assist him together. Hong devoted himself to oversight and remedy; nothing came to his attention that he did not act on. The Dowager Lady asked Yangwu Commandant Dong Xi of Kuaiji: "Can we hold the lands east of the Yangtze? Xi replied: "East of the Yangtze has mountains and rivers for its ramparts. The late Lord Who Quelled Rebellion left his grace among the people; Lord Who Exterminates Barbarians inherits his foundation—all, high and low, obey. Zhang Zhao handles the multitude's affairs; Xi and the rest serve as claws and fangs. Terrain and hearts are with us. There is nothing to fear. When Sun Quan sent Zhang Hong to his post, some, knowing Hong had been sent from the north, suspected his ambitions ran further—but Quan took no offense.

魯肅將北還，周瑜止之，因薦肅於權曰：「肅才宜佐時，當廣求其比以成功業。」權即見肅，與語，悅之。賓退，獨引肅合榻對飲，曰：「今漢室傾危，孤思有桓、文之功，君何以佐之？」肅曰：「昔高帝欲尊事義帝而不獲者，以項羽為害也。今之曹操，猶昔項羽，將軍何由得為桓、文乎！肅竊料之，漢室不可復興，曹操不可卒除，為將軍計，惟有保守江東以觀天下之釁耳。若因北方多務，剿除黃祖，進伐劉表，竟長江所極，據而有之，此王業也。」權曰：「今盡力一方，冀以輔漢耳，此言非所及也。」張昭毀肅年少粗疏，權益貴重之，賞賜儲偫，富擬其舊。

Lu Su was about to return north; Zhou Yu stopped him and recommended him to Sun Quan: "Su's talent fits the age. Seek out more like him if you mean to build a great enterprise. Sun Quan received Lu Su at once, spoke with him, and was pleased. When the guests had gone, he drew Lu Su alone to share a couch and drink with him face to face. "The House of Han is failing," he said. "I aspire to the achievement of Duke Huan and Duke Wen of Qi and Jin. How will you help me? Lu Su said: "The High Emperor wished to honor Emperor Yi but could not, because Xiang Yu blocked him. Today's Cao Cao is yesterday's Xiang Yu—how can you become a Duke Huan or Duke Wen! Su judged privately that Han cannot be restored and Cao Cao cannot be removed quickly. For you, the only course is to hold Jiangdong and watch for openings in the realm. If, while the north is busy, you eliminate Huang Zu, advance against Liu Biao, and hold the Yangtze to its end—that is the foundation of kingship." Sun Quan said: "For now I mean to do all I can in one corner, hoping to support Han—that vision is beyond me. Zhang Zhao dismissed Lu Su as young and careless, but Sun Quan valued him all the more, rewarding him until his wealth matched what he had before.

權料諸小將兵少而用薄者，併合之。別部司馬汝南呂蒙，軍容鮮整，士卒練習。權大悅，增其兵，寵任之。功曹駱統勸權尊賢接士，勤求損益，饗賜之日，人人別進，問其燥濕，加以密意，誘諭使言，察其志趣。權納用焉。統，俊之子也。廬陵太守孫輔恐權不能保江東，陰遣人繼書呼曹操。行人以告，權悉斬輔親近，分其部曲，徙輔置東。曹操表徵華歆為議郎、參司空軍事。廬江太守李術不肯事權，而多納其亡叛。權以狀白曹操曰：「嚴刺史昔為公所用，而李術害之，肆其無道，宜速誅滅。今術必復詭說求救。明公居阿衡之任，海內所瞻，願敕執事，勿復聽受。」因舉兵攻術於皖城。術求救於操，操不救。遂屠其城，梟術首。徙其部曲二萬餘人。

Sun Quan consolidated the commands of junior generals whose troops were few and pay was thin. Separate-division Marshal Lü Meng of Runan kept his troops trim and his soldiers well drilled. Sun Quan was greatly pleased, increased his command, and favored him with trust. Records Officer Luo Tong urged Sun Quan to honor the worthy and receive scholars, and to seek constant improvement. On feast days he had each man come forward alone, asked after his health and comfort, spoke to him with private warmth, drew out his views, and watched his inclinations. Sun Quan adopted the practice. Luo Tong was the son of Luo Jun. Sun Fu, Administrator of Luling, feared Sun Quan could not hold Jiangdong and secretly sent repeated messages summoning Cao Cao. When word reached Sun Quan, he executed all of Sun Fu's close associates, divided his troops, and moved Fu eastward. Cao Cao recommended summoning Hua Xin as Gentlemen Consultant and staff officer to the Minister of Works. Li Shu, Administrator of Lujiang, refused to serve Sun Quan and sheltered many of his deserters. Sun Quan reported the matter to Cao Cao: "Inspector Yan once served you, yet Li Shu killed him in open defiance of law. He should be destroyed at once. Shu will surely plead for rescue with more deceitful words. You hold the charge of the royal assistant and all the realm looks to you. I beg you to instruct your officers not to listen." Then he raised troops and attacked Li Shu at Wancheng. Li Shu begged Cao Cao for help; Cao Cao did not come. The city was sacked and Li Shu's head was displayed. More than twenty thousand of his troops were relocated.

劉表攻張羨，連年不下。曹操方與袁紹相拒，未暇救之。羨病死，長沙復立其子懌。表攻懌及零、桂，皆平之。於是表地方數千里，帶甲十餘萬，遂不供職貢，郊祀天地，居處服用，僭擬乘輿焉。

Liu Biao besieged Zhang Xian for years without success. Cao Cao was locked in confrontation with Yuan Shao and had no time to intervene. Zhang Xian died of illness; Changsha enthroned his son Yi in his place. Liu Biao attacked Yi and pacified Lingling and Gui commanderies. Liu Biao now held territory thousands of li across and more than a hundred thousand armored men. He stopped sending tribute, sacrificed to Heaven and Earth, and in dwelling, dress, and equipage took on the trappings of an emperor.

張魯以劉璋暗懦，不復承順，襲別部司馬張修，殺之而並其眾。璋怒，殺魯母及弟，魯遂據漢中，與璋為敵。璋遣中郎將龐羲擊之，不克。璋以羲為巴郡太守，屯閬中以御魯。羲輒召漢昌賨民為兵，或構羲於璋，璋疑之。趙韙數諫不從，亦恚恨。初，南陽、三輔民流入益州者數萬家，劉焉悉收以為兵，名曰東州兵。璋性寬柔，無威略，東州人侵暴舊民，璋不能禁。趙韙素得人心，因益州士民之怨，遂作亂，引兵數萬攻璋；厚賂荊州，與之連和。蜀郡、廣漢、犍為皆應之。

Zhang Lu, finding Liu Zhang timid and weak, stopped obeying him, attacked Separate-division Marshal Zhang Xiu, killed him, and absorbed his troops. Liu Zhang was furious and killed Lu's mother and brother. Lu seized Hanzhong and made himself Zhang's enemy. Liu Zhang sent General of the Household Pang Xi against him but could not defeat him. Liu Zhang made Pang Xi Administrator of Ba commandery and stationed him at Langzhong to hold Zhang Lu at bay. Pang Xi repeatedly conscripted Cong tribesmen of Hanchang as soldiers. Some slandered him to Liu Zhang, and Zhang grew suspicious. Zhao Wei remonstrated again and again without being heeded and nursed his own resentment. Earlier, tens of thousands of households from Nanyang and the Three Metropolises had fled into Yizhou. Liu Yan enrolled them all as soldiers and called them the Eastern Province Troops. Liu Zhang was lenient and mild, without force of command. Eastern Province men preyed on the old inhabitants, and he could not stop them. Zhao Wei had long held the people's hearts. Riding the resentment of Yizhou's gentry and commoners, he rebelled and led tens of thousands of troops against Liu Zhang; he bribed Jing Province lavishly and allied with it. The commanderies of Shu, Guanghan, and Jianwei all rose in his support.

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