Volume 65 Han Records 57

資治通鑑第065卷

Comprehensive Mirror in Aid of Governance, Volume 65

【漢紀五十七】起柔兆閹茂，盡著雍困敦，凡三年。

Han Records 57, covering the three years from dingmao through jiyou in the sexagenary cycle.

春，正月，有星孛於北斗。

In spring, during the first month, a comet appeared near the Big Dipper.

曹操自將擊高幹，留其世子丕守鄴，使別駕從事崔琰傅之。操圍壺關，三月，壺關降。高幹自入匈奴求救，單于不受。幹獨與數騎亡，欲南奔荊州，上洛都尉王琰捕斬之，并州悉平。曹操使陳郡梁習以別部司馬領并州刺史。時荒亂之餘，胡、狄雄張，吏民亡叛入其部落，兵家擁眾，各為寇害。習到官，誘喻招納，皆禮如其豪右，稍稍薦舉，使詣幕府；豪右已盡，次發諸丁強以為義從；又因大軍出征，令諸將分清以為勇力。吏兵已去之後，稍移其家，前後送鄴凡數萬口；其不從命者，興兵致討，斬首千數，降附者萬計。單于恭順，名王稽顙，服事供職，同於偏戶。邊境肅清，百姓布野，勤勸農桑，令行禁止。長老稱詠，以為自所聞識，刺史未有如習者。習乃貢達名士，避地州界者河內常林、楊俊、王象、荀緯及太原王凌之徒，操悉以為縣長，後皆顯名於世。初，山陽仲長統遊學至并州，過高幹，幹善遇之，訪以世事。統謂幹曰：「君有雄志而無雄才，好士而不能擇人，所以為君深戒也。」幹雅自多，不悅統言，統遂去之。幹死，荀彧舉統為尚書郎。著論曰《昌言》，其言治亂，略曰：「豪傑之當天命者，未始有天下之分者也，無天下之分，故戰爭者競起焉。角智者皆窮，角力者皆負，形不堪復伉，勢不足復校，乃始羈首繫頸，就我之銜紲耳。及繼體之時，豪傑之心既絕，士民之志已定，貴有常家，尊在一人。當此之時，雖下愚之才居之，猶能使恩同天地，威侔鬼神，周、孔數千無所復角其聖，賁、育百萬無所復奮其勇矣。彼後嗣之愚主，見天下莫敢與之違，自謂若天地之不可亡也。乃奔其私嗜，騁其邪欲，君臣宣淫，上下同惡，荒廢庶政，棄忘人物。信任親愛者，盡佞諂容說之人也；寵貴隆豐者，盡后妃姬妾之家也。遂至熬天下之脂膏，斫生民之骨髓，怨毒無聊，禍亂並起，中國擾攘，四夷侵叛，土崩瓦解，一朝而去，昔之為我哺乳之子孫者，今儘是我飲血之冠讎也。至於運徙勢去，猶不覺悟者，豈非富貴生不仁，沉溺致愚疾邪！存亡以之失代，治亂從此周復，天道常然之大數也。」

Cao Cao took the field in person against Gao Gan, leaving his heir Cao Pi to hold Ye while he appointed Cui Yan, an aide on his staff, to serve as the young man's tutor. After Cao Cao laid siege to Huguan, the fortress surrendered in the third month. Gao Gan fled into Xiongnu territory to seek aid, but the chanyu refused to shelter him. Gao Gan escaped with only a few riders, hoping to reach Jing Province in the south, but Wang Yan, commandant of Shangluo, captured and executed him, and Bingzhou was fully pacified. Cao Cao appointed Liang Xi of Chen Commandery inspector of Bingzhou, with the rank of separate-division major. The province lay in ruins after years of chaos: non-Han peoples had grown bold, refugees and deserters had joined their camps, and armed clans with private followings preyed on the countryside. On taking office, Liang Xi won people over with persuasion and generous treatment, honoring the local magnates and gradually recommending them for posts at his headquarters. After the leading families had been drawn into service, he conscripted able-bodied men as militia. He then used a major campaign abroad as an occasion to have his generals divide these men among themselves as fighting troops. Once the men had marched away, he gradually relocated their families, sending tens of thousands of people to Ye in all. Those who defied him he attacked by force, killing thousands, while tens of thousands more submitted. The chanyu became submissive, the subordinate kings bowed in obeisance, and they performed service and paid tribute like dependent households. The frontier was pacified, peasants returned to the fields, he urged them to plant grain and raise silkworms, and his orders were obeyed without exception. The elders sang his praises, declaring that in all their memory no provincial inspector had matched Liang Xi. Liang Xi also recommended distinguished scholars who had taken refuge in the province, including Chang Lin, Yang Jun, Wang Xiang, and Xun Wei of Henei and Wang Ling of Taiyuan; Cao Cao appointed them all county magistrates, and they later won fame throughout the realm. Earlier, Zhongchang Tong of Shanyang, while traveling to pursue his studies, reached Bingzhou and visited Gao Gan, who received him warmly and asked his view of current affairs. Tong told him, "You harbor grand ambitions but lack the ability to fulfill them; you delight in gathering men of talent yet cannot judge whom to trust. That is what I must warn you of most seriously." Gao Gan, who had always thought highly of himself, took offense at Tong's counsel, and Tong left him. After Gao Gan's death, Xun Yu recommended Tong for appointment as a gentleman of the Masters of Writing. He wrote a treatise entitled Remarks on the Way; on the rise and fall of states he observed in summary: "Men of heroic stature destined to receive Heaven's mandate have never begun with the realm already divided among them; because the empire was undivided, wars of rivalry broke out everywhere. When every contest of wits had been exhausted and every trial of strength lost, when they could no longer stand as equals and lacked the force to fight on, only then did they bow their heads and accept the victor's bridle. Once the throne had passed to a successor, the spirit of rivalry was spent, the people had accepted their lot, noble houses held their hereditary rank, and supreme authority rested in one man alone. At such a moment, even a ruler of the meanest ability could spread his favor wide as heaven and earth and make his majesty feared like the spirits; not thousands of sages like the Duke of Zhou and Confucius together could challenge his wisdom, nor millions of warriors like Ben Bo and Yu Rang revive their valor against him. Later heirs who were fools in their turn, seeing that none under heaven dared defy them, imagined themselves as enduring as heaven and earth themselves. They abandoned themselves to private appetites and unrestrained vice; ruler and ministers openly debauched themselves, court and countryside alike turned vicious, government was neglected, and worthy men were cast aside and forgotten. Those they trusted and favored were all flatterers skilled in agreeable speech. Those they enriched with rank and wealth were all kin of empresses and concubines. They boiled away the empire's substance and gnawed the people's very marrow until resentment knew no bounds; disasters erupted together, the heartland fell into chaos, frontier peoples rose in revolt, the state collapsed in a day, and the children they had once nurtured became the crowned foes who would drink their blood. That some rulers never awakened even when their fate had turned and their power was gone—was it not because wealth and rank breed cruelty, and indulgence breeds the sickness of folly? Dynasties rose and fell by this pattern, order and chaos revolved in turn, and such is the great constant law of Heaven's way."

秋，七月，武威太守張猛殺雍州刺史邯鄲商；州兵討誅之。猛，奐之子也。

In autumn, during the seventh month, Zhang Meng, administrator of Wuwei, murdered Shang of Handan, inspector of Yong Province. Provincial troops pursued and killed him. Zhang Meng was the son of Zhang Huan.

八月，曹操東討海賊管承，至淳于，遣將樂進、李典擊破之，承走入海島。

In the eighth month, Cao Cao marched east against the pirate Guan Cheng; reaching Chunyu, he sent Yue Jin and Li Dian to defeat him, and Cheng fled to the offshore islands.

昌豨復叛，操遣于禁討斬之。

When Chang Xi rebelled again, Cao Cao sent Yu Jin to suppress him and execute him.

是歲，立故琅邪王容子熙為琅邪王。齊、北海、阜陵、下邳、常山、甘陵、濟陰、平原八國皆除。

That year, Xi, son of the former Prince of Langye Rong, was installed as prince of Langye. The eight kingdoms of Qi, Beihai, Fuling, Xiapi, Changshan, Ganling, Jiyin, and Pingyuan were all abolished.

烏桓乘天下亂，略有漢民十餘萬戶，袁紹皆立其酋豪為單于，以家人子為己女，妻焉。遼西烏桓蹋頓尤強，為紹所厚，故尚兄弟歸之，數入塞為寇，欲助尚復故地。曹操將擊之，鑿平虜渠、泉州渠以通運。

While the empire was in chaos the Wuhuan seized more than a hundred thousand Han subjects; Yuan Shao recognized their chieftains as chanyu and married them to girls he claimed as his own daughters, though they were in fact servants in his household. Tadun of the Liaoxi Wuhuan was the most powerful of them and had been favored by Yuan Shao; Yuan Shang and his brothers therefore sought refuge with him, raided across the frontier repeatedly, and hoped to help Shang recover his former lands. Cao Cao prepared to strike them and cut canals through the Pinglu and Quanzhou channels to open a supply route.

孫權擊山賊麻、保二屯，平之。

Sun Quan attacked the mountain bandit strongholds of Ma and Bao and pacified them.

春，二月，曹操自淳于還鄴。丁酉，操奏封大功臣二十餘人，皆為列侯。因表萬歲亭侯荀彧功狀；三月，增封彧千戶。又欲授以三公，彧使荀攸深自陳讓，至於十數，乃止。

In spring, during the second month, Cao Cao returned from Chunyu to Ye. On the day dingyou, Cao Cao memorialized the court to enfeoff more than twenty men of outstanding merit, all as full marquises. He also submitted a memorial detailing the achievements of Xun Yu, Marquis of Wansui Village. In the third month, Xun Yu's fief was increased by one thousand households. Cao Cao also wished to appoint him one of the Three Excellencies, but Xun Yu had Xun You plead his refusal again and again, a dozen times over, before the offer was withdrawn.

曹操將擊烏桓，諸將皆曰：「袁尚亡虜耳，夷狄貪而無親，豈能為尚用！今深入征之，劉備必說劉表以襲許，萬一為變，事不可悔。」郭嘉曰：「公雖威震天下，胡恃其遠，必不設備，因其無備，卒然擊之，可破滅也。且袁紹有恩於民夷，而尚兄弟生存。今四州之民，徒以威附，德施未加，捨而南征，尚因烏桓之資，招其死主之臣，胡人一動，民夷俱應，以生蹋頓之心，成凱覦之計，恐青、冀非己之有也。表坐談客耳，自知才不足以御備，重任之則恐不能制，輕任之則備不為用，雖虛國遠征，公無憂矣。」操從之。行至易，郭嘉曰：「兵貴神速。今千里襲人，輜重多，難以趨利，且彼聞之，必為備。不如留輜重，輕兵兼道以出，掩其不意。」

When Cao Cao prepared to attack the Wuhuan, his generals objected: "Yuan Shang is only a defeated fugitive; the barbarians are greedy and faithless—why would they fight for him? If you march deep into their country now, Liu Bei will surely urge Liu Biao to strike at Xu; should anything go wrong, the mistake cannot be undone." Guo Jia replied, "Though your authority fills the realm, the Wuhuan trust in their distance and will not be on guard; strike them suddenly while they are unprepared, and you can destroy them utterly. Moreover, Yuan Shao once showed kindness to these peoples, and the Shang brothers are still alive. The people of your four provinces follow you only through fear, not yet through kindness. If you turn south while Shang still has the Wuhuan behind him, he will rally the men who served his dead father; one move from the barbarians and Han and tribes alike will answer, Tadun's ambitions will awaken, and Qing and Ji may slip from your grasp. Liu Biao is a mere talker; he knows he lacks the ability to control Liu Bei. Give Bei real power and he cannot be restrained; give him too little and Bei will not serve. Even if you leave the heartland exposed and march far away, you need not worry." Cao Cao accepted his counsel. When the army reached Yi, Guo Jia said, "In war, speed is everything. A strike a thousand li distant, burdened with supply trains, cannot move swiftly enough for advantage, and once they hear of us they will prepare. Better to leave the baggage behind and send light troops by forced marches to take them unawares."

初，袁紹數遣使召田疇於無終，又即綬將軍印，使安輯所統，疇皆拒之。及曹操定冀州，河間邢顒謂疇曰：「黃巾起來，二十餘年，海內鼎沸，百姓流離。今聞曹公法令嚴。民厭亂矣，亂極則平，請以身先。」遂裝還鄉里。疇曰：「邢顒，天民之先覺者也。」操以顒為冀州從事。疇忿烏桓多殺其本郡冠蓋，意欲討之而力未能。操遣使辟疇，疇戒其門下趣治嚴。門人曰：「昔袁公慕君，禮命五至，君義不屈。今曹公使一來而君若恐弗及者，何也？」疇笑曰：「此非君所識也。」遂隨使者到軍，拜為蓨令，隨軍次無終。

Earlier, Yuan Shao had repeatedly sent envoys to summon Tian Chou at Wuzhong and had even offered him a general's seal with orders to pacify the district, but Chou refused every overture. After Cao Cao pacified Ji Province, Xing Yong of Hejian said to Tian Chou, "The Yellow Turbans rose more than twenty years ago; the realm has seethed ever since and the people have been driven from their homes. Now we hear that Lord Cao's laws are strict. The people are weary of chaos; when disorder reaches its limit, order returns. Let me go first." He packed his belongings and returned home. Tian Chou said, "Xing Yong is a man who sees clearly before others among the people." Cao Cao appointed Xing Yong an attendant of Ji Province. Tian Chou hated the Wuhuan for having killed many leading men of his home commandery and wished to punish them but lacked the means. When Cao Cao sent an envoy to summon him, Tian Chou told his household to prepare for travel at once. A retainer asked, "Lord Yuan once honored you with five invitations, and you refused on principle. Yet when Lord Cao sends a single messenger, you hurry as though afraid to be late. Why?" Tian Chou smiled and said, "That is not for you to understand." He followed the envoy to the army, was appointed magistrate of Tiao, and marched with the force to Wuzhong.

時方夏水雨，而濱海洿下，濘滯不通，虜亦遮守蹊要，軍不得進。操患之，以問田疇。疇曰：「此道，秋夏每常有水，淺不通車馬，深不載舟船，為難久矣。舊北平郡治在平岡，道出盧龍，達於柳城。自建武以來，陷壞斷絕，垂二百載，而尚有微徑可從。今虜將以大軍當由無終，不得進而退，懈弛無備。若嘿回軍，從盧龍口越白檀之險，出空虛之地，路近而便，掩其不備，蹋頓可不戰而禽也。」操曰：「善！」乃引軍還，而署大木表於水側路傍曰：「方今夏暑，道路不通，且俟秋冬，乃復進軍」。虜候騎見之，誠以為大軍去也。

It was summer, the rains were heavy, the coastal lowlands were swampy and impassable, and the enemy held the mountain passes, so the army could not advance. Cao Cao was troubled and consulted Tian Chou. Tian Chou said, "This route is flooded every summer and autumn—too shallow for wagons where it is low, too deep for boats where it is high. It has always been difficult. The old Beiping commandery seat lay at Pinggang; a road through Lulong reached Liucheng. Since the Jianwu reign it had fallen into ruin and been abandoned for nearly two hundred years, yet a faint track still remains. The enemy will expect your main force to come by Wuzhong; when you withdraw without advancing, they will relax their guard. If you quietly wheel about, cross the Lulong Pass over the heights of Baitan into undefended country by a shorter route, and strike before they are ready, Tadun can be taken without a battle." Cao Cao said, "Excellent!" He withdrew the army and posted a large wooden sign beside the flooded road: "The summer heat has made the roads impassable; we shall wait until autumn and winter before advancing again." Enemy scouts saw the sign and believed the main army had withdrawn.

操令疇將其眾為鄉導，上徐無山，塹山堙谷，五百餘里，經白檀，歷平岡，步鮮卑庭，東指柳城。未至二百里，虜乃知之。尚、熙與蹋頓及遼西單于樓班、右北平單于能臣抵之等將數萬騎逆軍。八月，操登白狼山，卒與虜遇，眾甚盛。操車重在後，被甲者少，左右皆懼。操登高，望虜陣不整，乃縱兵擊之，使張遼為先鋒，虜眾大崩，斬蹋頓及名王已下，胡、漢降者二十餘萬口。遼東單于速僕丸與尚、熙奔遼東太守公孫康，其眾尚有教千騎。或勸操遂擊之，操曰：「吾方使康斬送尚、熙首，不煩兵矣。」九月，操引兵自柳城還。公孫康欲取尚、熙以為功，乃先置精勇於廄中，然後請尚、熙入，未及坐，康叱伏兵禽之，遂斬尚、熙，並速僕丸首送之。諸將或問操：「公還而康斬尚、熙，何也？」操曰：「彼素畏尚、熙，吾急之則並力，緩之則自相圖，其勢然也。」操梟尚首，令三軍：「敢有哭之者斬！」牽招獨設祭悲哭，操義之，舉為茂才。時天寒且旱，二百里無水，軍又乏食，殺馬數千匹以為糧，鑿地入三十餘丈方得水。既還，科問前諫者，眾莫知其故，人人皆懼。操皆厚賞之，曰：「孤前行，乘危以徼幸。雖得之，天所佐也，顧不可以為常。諸君之諫，萬安之計，是以相賞，後勿難言之。」

Cao Cao had Tian Chou guide the way with his followers; they climbed Mount Xuwu, cut roads through mountains and filled ravines for more than five hundred li, passed Baitan and Pinggang, marched through Xianbei territory, and turned east toward Liucheng. Before they had marched two hundred li, the enemy learned of their approach. Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi, Tadun, the Liaoxi chanyu Louban, the Youbeiping chanyu Nengchen Dizhi, and others led tens of thousands of horsemen to meet the invaders. In the eighth month, Cao Cao climbed White Wolf Mountain and suddenly met the enemy in great force. His supply train lagged behind, few men wore armor, and his officers were alarmed. Cao Cao climbed to a height, saw the enemy ranks in disorder, and ordered the attack with Zhang Liao in the van. The barbarian army collapsed; Tadun and many subordinate kings were slain, and more than two hundred thousand barbarians and Han submitted. The Liaodong chanyu Supuyan fled with Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi to Gongsun Kang, administrator of Liaodong, with several thousand riders still at their side. Some urged Cao Cao to pursue them, but he said, "I am about to have Gongsun Kang send me the heads of Shang and Xi without troubling my army." In the ninth month, Cao Cao led his army back from Liucheng. Gongsun Kang wished to win merit by capturing Shang and Xi; he hid picked warriors in his stables, then invited the Yuan brothers in, and before they could sit down ordered his men to seize them. He beheaded Shang and Xi and sent their heads, together with Supuyan's, to Cao Cao. “Some generals asked Cao Cao why, after he had withdrawn, Gongsun Kang had killed Shang and Xi.” Cao Cao replied, "They have always feared the Yuan brothers. Press them and they unite; leave them alone and they turn on each other. That is how such situations work." Cao Cao had Shang's head displayed and ordered the army: "Anyone who weeps for him will be executed!" Qian Zhao alone set up a memorial service and wept openly; Cao Cao admired his loyalty and recommended him as a maocai. The weather was bitterly cold and dry; for two hundred li there was no water, and the army ran short of food, killing thousands of horses for rations and digging more than thirty zhang into the earth before water was found. After his return, he summoned those who had opposed the campaign; no one knew his purpose, and all were afraid. Cao Cao rewarded them all generously and said, "On that campaign I took a desperate risk for an uncertain gain. Though we succeeded, Heaven helped us; that cannot be our usual way of war. Your counsel was the safe course; that is why I reward you. Speak freely hereafter."

冬，十月，辛卯，有星孛於鶉尾。

In winter, during the tenth month, on the day xinmao, a comet appeared in the Tail of the Quail constellation.

乙巳，黃巾殺濟南王贇。

On the day yisi, Yellow Turban rebels killed the Prince of Jinan, Liu Yun.

十一月，曹操至易水，烏桓單于代郡普富盧、上郡那樓皆來賀。師還，論功行賞，以五百戶封田疇為亭侯。疇曰：「吾始為劉公報仇，率眾遁逃，志義不立，反以為利，非本志也。」固讓不受。操知其至心，許而不奪。

In the eleventh month, Cao Cao reached the Yi River, where the Wuhuan chanyus Pufulu of Dai and Nalou of Shang came to pay their respects. After the army returned, Cao Cao rewarded merit and enfeoffed Tian Chou as a village marquis with five hundred households. Tian Chou said, "I first took up arms to avenge the Yuans, led my men into exile, and never meant to seek reward. To profit from this now is not what I intended." He firmly refused the fief. Cao Cao understood his sincerity and let him keep his refusal.

操之北伐也，劉備說劉表襲許，表不能用。及聞操還，表謂備曰：「不用君言，故為失此大會。」備曰：「今天下分裂，日尋干戈，事會之來，豈有終極乎？若能應之於後者，則此未足為恨也。」

During Cao Cao's northern campaign, Liu Bei urged Liu Biao to strike Xu, but Liu Biao would not act. When he learned that Cao Cao had returned, Liu Biao told Liu Bei, "By ignoring your advice I missed a great chance." Liu Bei replied, "The realm is split and war never ends. Will opportunities ever cease to arise? If you seize the next one, this missed chance need not trouble you."

是歲，孫權西擊黃祖，虜其人民而還。

That year, Sun Quan marched west against Huang Zu, carried off his people, and withdrew.

權母吳氏疾篤，引見張昭等，屬以後事而卒。

Sun Quan's mother, Lady Wu, fell gravely ill, summoned Zhang Zhao and others to entrust them with her son's welfare, and died.

初，琅邪諸葛亮寓居襄陽隆中，每自比管仲、樂毅。時人莫之許也，惟穎川徐庶與崔州平謂為信然。州平，烈之子也。

Earlier, Zhuge Liang of Langye lived in seclusion at Longzhong near Xiangyang and often compared himself to Guan Zhong and Yue Yi. Most people did not believe him, but Xu Shu of Yingchuan and Cui Zhouping agreed that he was. Zhouping was the son of Cui Lie.

劉備在荊州，訪士於襄陽司馬徽。徽曰：「儒生俗士，豈識時務，識時務者在乎俊傑。此間自有伏龍、鳳雛。」備問為誰，曰：「諸葛孔明、龐士元也。」徐庶見備於新野，備器之。庶謂備曰：「諸葛孔明，臥龍也，將軍豈願見之乎？」備曰：「君與俱來。」庶曰：「此人可就見，不可屈致也，將軍宜枉駕顧之。」備由是詣亮，凡三往，乃見。因屏人曰：「漢室傾頹，奸臣竊命，孤不度德量力，欲信大義於天下，而智術淺短，遂用猖蹶，至於今日。然志猶未已，君謂計將安出？」亮曰：「今曹操已擁百萬之眾，挾天子而令諸侯，此誠不可與爭鋒。孫權據有江東，已歷三世，國險而民附，賢能為之用，此可與為援而不可圖也。荊州並據漢、沔，利盡南海，東連吳會，西通巴、蜀，此用武之國，而其主不能守，此殆天所以資將軍也。益州險塞，沃野千里，天府之土；劉璋闇弱，張魯在北，民殷國富而不知存恤，智能之士思得明君。將軍既帝室之冑，信義著於四海，若跨有荊、益，保其巖阻，撫和戎、越，結好孫權，內修政治，外觀時變，則霸業可成，漢室可興矣。」備曰：「善！」於是與亮情好日密。關羽、張飛不悅，備解之曰：「孤之有孔明，猶魚之有水也。願諸君勿復言。」羽、飛乃止。

While Liu Bei was in Jing Province, he asked Sima Hui of Xiangyang to recommend men of talent. Hui said, "Pedants and dull conformists cannot read the times; only exceptional men can. In this region there are the Hidden Dragon and the Young Phoenix." When Bei asked who they were, Hui said, "Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong." Xu Shu came to see Liu Bei at Xinye, and Bei treated him with great respect. Shu told Bei, "Zhuge Liang is the Hidden Dragon. Would you like to meet him?" Bei said, "Come with me." Shu said, "You must go to him; he will not come to you. You should visit him in person." Bei therefore went to see Zhuge Liang, visiting three times before they met. He dismissed his attendants and said, "The Han house is collapsing and traitors hold power. I did not measure my strength yet hoped to uphold righteousness across the realm; my abilities proved too slight, and I have been driven to this pass. Yet my purpose is unchanged. What course do you advise?" Liang said, "Cao Cao now commands a million men, holds the emperor hostage, and orders the lords of the realm. You cannot challenge him head-on. Sun Quan holds the lower Yangzi, a domain his family has ruled for three generations. Its terrain is strong and its people loyal; men of talent serve him willingly. Make him an ally, do not try to seize his lands. Jing Province commands the Han and Mian rivers, reaches to the southern sea, links east to Wu and Kuaiji and west to Ba and Shu. It is a natural base for military power, yet its ruler cannot hold it. Heaven seems to be offering it to you. Yi Province is rugged and enclosed, with rich fields for a thousand li—a land heaven made for storing empire. Liu Zhang is weak and shortsighted; Zhang Lu threatens from the north. The people are prosperous yet poorly governed, and able men yearn for a worthy ruler. You are of the imperial clan and your honor is known across the realm. Hold Jing and Yi, guard their passes, win over the frontier peoples, ally with Sun Quan, govern well at home, and watch for chances abroad—then you can build a hegemony and restore the Han." Bei said, "Excellent!" From that day his bond with Zhuge Liang grew ever closer. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were displeased, but Bei told them, "Having Kongming is like a fish having water. Say no more of it." They obeyed.

司馬徽，清雅有知人之鑒。同縣龐德公素有重名，徽兄事之。諸葛亮每至德公家，獨拜床下，德公初不令止。德公從子統，少時樸鈍，未有識者，惟德公與徽重之。德公常謂孔明為臥龍，士元為鳳雛，德操為水鑒；故德操與劉備語而稱之。

Sima Hui was a man of refined taste with a keen eye for talent. Pang Degong of the same county enjoyed great renown, and Hui treated him as an elder brother. Whenever Zhuge Liang visited Pang Degong, he alone bowed from below the couch; Degong at first did not stop him. Degong's kinsman Pang Tong seemed dull in youth and won no recognition except from Degong and Hui. Degong called Kongming the Hidden Dragon, Shiyuan the Young Phoenix, and Decao the Water Mirror. That is why Hui spoke of them to Liu Bei.

春，正月，司徒趙溫辟曹操子丕。操表「溫辟臣子弟，選舉故不以實」，策免之。

In spring, during the first month, Minister over the Masses Zhao Wen summoned Cao Cao's son Cao Pi. “Cao Cao memorialized that Wen had summoned his son improperly and that such recommendations were dishonest, and an edict dismissed Wen from office.”

曹操還鄴，作玄武池以肄舟師。

Cao Cao returned to Ye and built the Black Tortoise Pool to train his fleet.

初，巴郡甘寧將僮客八百人歸劉表，表儒人，不習軍事，寧觀表事勢終必無成，恐一朝眾散，並受其禍，欲東入吳。黃祖在夏口，軍不得過，乃留，依祖三年，祖以凡人畜之。孫權擊祖，祖軍敗走，權校尉凌操將兵急追之。寧善射，將兵在後，射殺操，祖由是得免。軍罷，還營，待寧如初。祖都督蘇飛數薦寧，祖不用。寧欲去，恐不免；飛乃白祖，以寧為邾長。寧遂亡奔孫權。周瑜、呂蒙共薦達之，權禮異，同於舊臣。寧獻策於權曰：「今漢祚日微，曹操終為篡盜。南荊之地，山川形便，誠國之西勢也。寧觀劉表，慮既不遠，兒子又劣，非能承業傳基者也。至尊當早圖之，不可後操。圖之之計，宜先取黃祖。祖今昏耄已甚，財谷並乏，左右貪縱，吏士心怨，舟船戰具，頓廢不修，怠於耕農，軍無法伍。至尊今往，其破可必。一破祖軍，鼓行而西，據楚關，大勢彌廣，即可漸規巴、蜀矣。」權深納之。張昭時在坐，難曰：「今吳下業業，若軍果行，恐必致亂。」寧謂昭曰：「國家以蕭何之任付君，君居守而憂亂，奚以希慕古人乎！」權舉酒屬寧曰：「興霸，今年行討，如此酒矣，決以付卿。卿但當勉建方略，令必克祖，則卿之功，何嫌張長史之言乎！」

Earlier, Gan Ning of Ba Commandery brought eight hundred followers to Liu Biao. Biao was a scholar who knew nothing of war; Ning saw that his cause was doomed, feared his men would scatter and all perish together, and wished to join Wu in the east. Huang Zu held Xiakou and blocked his passage, so Ning stayed under him for three years, treated like any common retainer. When Sun Quan attacked Huang Zu, Zu's army fled, and Sun Quan's commandant Ling Cao pressed the pursuit. Ning, a fine archer, commanded the rearguard, shot and killed Ling Cao, and thus saved Huang Zu. After the battle Huang Zu returned to camp and treated Ning as before. Zu's director Su Fei repeatedly recommended Ning, but Zu ignored him. Ning wished to leave but feared he would not be allowed to go. Fei persuaded Zu to appoint Ning magistrate of Zhu. Ning then fled to Sun Quan. Zhou Yu and Lü Meng recommended him, and Sun Quan honored him as he did his veteran officers. Ning offered Sun Quan a plan: "The Han mandate fades daily, and Cao Cao will end as a usurper. Southern Jing, with its favorable terrain, is the western rampart of the realm. Liu Biao lacks foresight, and his sons are unworthy; neither can preserve what he holds. Your Majesty should seize it soon, before Cao Cao does. The first step is to take Huang Zu. Zu is senile, his stores are empty, his court is corrupt, his officers resent him, his fleet is rotting, farming is neglected, and his troops lack discipline. If you strike now, he is sure to fall. Once Zu is destroyed, march west with drums beating, hold Chuguan, and your power will widen until you can turn toward Ba and Shu." Sun Quan accepted the plan wholeheartedly. Zhang Zhao, who was present, objected: "The realm under Wu is unsettled; if you march now, you may bring on chaos." Ning told Zhao, "The state gave you Xiao He's role. You stay behind yet fear disorder—how does that honor the ancients you admire?" Sun Quan raised his cup to Ning and said, "Xingba, this year's campaign is settled as firmly as this cup of wine. I entrust it to you. Only devise a plan that must take Zu, and your merit will silence Chief Clerk Zhang."

權遂西擊黃祖。祖橫兩蒙沖，挾守沔口，以拼閭大紲系石為釘，上有千人，以弩交射，飛矢雨下，軍不得前。偏將軍董襲與別部司馬凌統俱為前部，各將敢死百人，人被兩鎧，乘大舸，突入蒙沖裡。襲身以刀斷兩紲，蒙沖乃橫流，大兵遂進。祖令都督陳就以水軍逆戰。平北都尉呂蒙勒前鋒，親梟就首。於是將士乘勝，水陸並進，傅其城，盡銳攻之，遂屠其城。祖挺身走，追斬之，虜其男女數萬口。

Sun Quan then marched west against Huang Zu. Huang Zu blocked the river mouth with two covered warships, moored with heavy ropes and stone anchors, manned by a thousand crossbowmen whose bolts fell like rain, and the army could not advance. Lieutenant General Dong Xi and separate-division major Ling Tong led the van, each with a hundred volunteers in double armor aboard large boats, and charged into the enemy ships. Dong Xi himself cut the mooring ropes with his sword; the blockships drifted aside, and the main force pressed forward. Huang Zu sent his director Chen Jiu to meet them with the fleet. Pacifier of the North Lü Meng led the vanguard and personally took Chen Jiu's head. The army pressed the victory by land and water, invested the city, attacked with full force, and sacked it. Huang Zu fled on foot; they overtook and killed him and took captive tens of thousands of men and women.

權先作兩函，欲以盛祖及蘇飛首。權為諸將置酒，甘寧下席叩頭，血涕交流，為權言飛疇昔舊恩，「寧不值飛，固已損骸於溝壑，不得致命於麾下。今飛罪當夷戮，特從將軍乞其首領。」權感其言，謂曰：「今為君置之。若走去何？」寧曰：「飛免分裂之禍，受更生之恩，逐之尚必不走，豈當圖亡哉！若爾，寧頭當代入函。」權乃赦之。凌統怨寧殺其父操，常欲殺寧，權命統不得仇之，令寧將兵屯於它所。

Sun Quan had prepared two boxes for the heads of Huang Zu and Su Fei. At the victory feast, Gan Ning left his seat, kowtowed until blood and tears mingled, and reminded Sun Quan of Su Fei's past kindness: "Without Fei I would have died in a ditch and never served under you. Now his crime deserves death, but I beg you to spare his life." Moved, Sun Quan said, "I spare him for your sake. What if he flees?" Ning said, "Fei has escaped execution and owes you his life. Even if you drive him away he will not flee, much less plot against you. If I am wrong, take my head instead." Sun Quan pardoned Su Fei. Ling Tong hated Ning for killing his father and often wanted revenge; Sun Quan forbade it and stationed Ning's troops elsewhere.

夏，六月，罷三公官，復置丞相、御史大夫。癸巳。以曹操為丞相。操以冀州別駕從事崔琰為丞相西曹掾，司空東曹掾陳留毛玠為丞相東曹掾，元城令河內司馬朗為主簿，弟懿為文學掾，冀州主簿盧毓為法曹議令史。毓，植之子也。琰、玠並典選舉，其所舉用皆清正之士，雖於時有盛名而行不由本者，終莫得進。拔敦實，斥華偽，進沖遜，抑阿黨。由是天下之士莫不以廉節自勵，雖貴寵之臣，輿服不敢過度，至乃長吏還者，垢面羸衣，獨乘柴車，軍吏入府，朝服徒行。吏潔於上，俗移於下。操聞之，歎曰：「用人如此，使天下人自治，吾復何為哉！」

In summer, during the sixth month, the Three Excellencies were abolished and the offices of chancellor and grand counselor were restored. On the day guisi. Cao Cao was appointed chancellor. Cao Cao appointed Cui Yan of Ji Province western bureau aide of the chancellor, Mao Jie of Chenliu eastern bureau aide of the chancellor, Sima Lang of Henei as chief clerk, his brother Sima Yi as literary aide, and Lu Yu of Ji Province as law bureau clerk. Lu Yu was the son of Lu Zhi. Yan and Mao controlled appointments and recommended only upright men; even famous figures whose conduct was unsound could not win office. They promoted the solid and sincere, rejected the flashy and false, advanced the modest, and suppressed factional favoritism. From this, scholars across the empire took integrity as their standard. Even favored ministers dared not dress above their rank, and returning officials sometimes arrived with grimy faces and threadbare clothes, riding alone in rough carts while military officers entered the prefectural offices on foot in court dress. When officials above are incorrupt, custom changes below. When Cao Cao heard this, he sighed and said, "If I can employ men like this and the empire governs itself, what further need is there for me!"

司馬懿，少聰達，多大略。崔琰謂其兄朗曰：「君弟聰亮明允，剛斷英特，非子所及也。」操聞而辟之，懿辭以風痺。操怒，欲收之，懿懼，就職。

Sima Yi was clever and far-sighted from youth, with a gift for grand strategy. Cui Yan told his elder brother Lang, "Your younger brother is brilliant, upright, and resolute—qualities you cannot match." When Cao Cao heard this, he summoned Sima Yi, but Yi declined on the pretext of suffering from rheumatism. Cao Cao grew angry and meant to arrest him; Yi, afraid, accepted the appointment.

操使張遼屯長社，臨發，軍中有謀反者，夜，驚亂起火，一軍盡擾。遼謂左右曰：「勿動！是不一營盡反，必有造變者，欲以驚動人耳。」乃令軍中：「其不反者安坐！」遼將親兵數十人中陳而立，有頃，皆定，即得首謀者，殺之。遼在長社，于禁頓穎陰，樂進屯陽翟，三將任氣，多共不協。操使司空主簿趙儼並參三軍，每事訓諭，遂相親睦。

Cao Cao sent Zhang Liao to garrison Changshe. On the eve of departure, conspirators in the army rebelled; at night alarm spread, fires broke out, and the whole force was thrown into turmoil. Zhang Liao told his attendants, "Do not move! If the whole camp were truly in revolt, it would not look like this. Someone has staged this to panic the men." He then ordered the army, "Those who are not rebels, sit where you are!" Zhang Liao then led several dozen of his personal troops and stood in the center of the camp. Before long all was calm; he seized the ringleader and executed him. Zhang Liao held Changshe, Yu Jin was at Yingyin, and Yue Jin at Yangdi. All three were proud men and often at odds. Cao Cao sent Zhao Yi, chief clerk to the Director of Works, to serve with all three armies. Zhao Yi counseled them in every matter, and they gradually became friendly.

初，前將軍馬騰與鎮西將軍韓遂結為異姓兄弟，後以部曲相侵，更為仇敵。朝廷使司隸校尉鍾繇、涼州刺史韋端和解之，征騰入屯槐裡。曹操將征荊州，使張既說騰，令釋部曲還朝，騰許之。已而更猶豫，既恐其為變，乃移諸縣促儲人待，二千石郊迎，騰不得已，發東。操表騰為衛尉，以其子超為偏將軍，統其眾，悉徙其家屬詣鄴。

Earlier, Forward General Ma Teng and Pacifier of the West Han Sui had sworn brotherhood. Later their followers clashed, and the two became enemies. The court sent Metropolitan Commandant Zhong Yao and Inspector of Liang Wei Duan to mediate between them and summoned Ma Teng to move his forces into Huaili. As Cao Cao prepared to campaign against Jing Province, he sent Zhang Ji to persuade Ma Teng to disband his private forces and come to court. Teng agreed. Then he wavered again. Fearing a revolt, Zhang Ji ordered the counties to stock grain and sent the prefects out to welcome him. Ma Teng had no choice but to march east. Cao Cao appointed Ma Teng Minister of the Guards, made his son Ma Chao a lieutenant general to command his troops, and moved the entire family to Ye.

秋，七月，曹操南擊劉表。

In autumn, during the seventh month, Cao Cao marched south against Liu Biao.

八月，丁未，以光祿勳山陽郗慮為御史大夫。

In the eighth month, on the day dingwei, Palace Attendant Chi Xu of Shanyang was appointed Censor-in-Chief.

壬子，太中大夫孔融棄市。融恃其才望，數戲侮曹操，發辭偏宕，多致乖忤。操以融名重天下，外相容忍而內甚嫌之。融又上書言：「宜准古王畿之制，千里寰內不以封建諸侯。」操疑融所論建漸廣，益憚之。融與郗慮有隙，慮承操風旨，構成其罪，令丞相軍謀祭酒路粹奏：「融昔在北海，見王室不靜，而招合徒眾，欲規不軌。及與孫權使語，謗訕朝廷。又，前與白衣檷衡跌蕩放言，更相讚揚。衡謂融曰『仲尼不死』，融答『顏回復生』，大逆不道，宜極重誅。」操遂收融，並其妻子皆殺之。初，京兆脂習與融善，每戒融剛直太過，必罹世患。及融死，許下莫敢收者。習往撫屍曰：「文舉捨我死，吾何用生為！」操收習，欲殺之，既而赦之。

On the day renzi, Grand Palace Grandee Kong Rong was executed in the marketplace. Kong Rong, trusting in his talent and reputation, repeatedly mocked Cao Cao. His words were sharp and eccentric, and he often gave offense. Because Kong Rong's name carried great weight throughout the empire, Cao Cao outwardly tolerated him while inwardly resenting him deeply. “Kong Rong also submitted a memorial arguing that the ancient royal domain should be restored and that no feudal lords should be enfeoffed within a thousand li of the capital.” Cao Cao suspected that Kong Rong's argument was growing broader in implication and feared him all the more. Kong Rong and Chi Xu were at odds. Chi Xu, following Cao Cao's intent, fabricated charges against him and had Chancellor's Army Planning Sacrificial Official Lu Cui memorialize: "While serving in Beihai, Kong Rong saw the throne in turmoil and gathered followers, plotting rebellion. When speaking with Sun Quan's envoy, he slandered the court. Moreover, he had earlier traded reckless praise with the commoner Mi Heng. Mi Heng told Kong Rong, 'Confucius is not dead,' and Kong Rong answered, 'Yan Hui lives again'—an outrage deserving the severest punishment." Cao Cao then arrested Kong Rong and executed him together with his wife and children. Earlier, Zhi Xi of Jingzhao was close to Kong Rong and often warned him that excessive bluntness would bring disaster. When Kong Rong died, no one in Xuxia dared recover his body. Zhi Xi went to the corpse and mourned, saying, "Wenju left me to die—what use is there in my living on!" Cao Cao arrested Zhi Xi and meant to kill him, but later pardoned him.

初，劉表二子琦、琮，表為琮娶其後妻蔡氏之侄，蔡氏遂愛琮而惡琦。表妻弟蔡瑁、外甥張允並得幸於表，日相與毀琦而譽琮。琦不自寧，與諸葛亮謀自安之術，亮不對。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？」琦意感悟，陰規出計。會黃祖死，琦求代其任，表乃以琦為江夏太守。表病甚，琦歸省疾。瑁、允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；今釋眾擅來，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。表卒，瑁、允等遂以琮為嗣。琮以侯印授琦。琦怒，投之地，將因奔喪作難。會曹操軍至，琦奔江南。

Liu Biao had two sons, Qi and Cong. He married Cong to a niece of his second wife's Cai clan, and the Cai family thereafter favored Cong and disliked Qi. Biao's brothers-in-law Cai Mao and his nephew Zhang Yun both enjoyed Liu Biao's favor and daily slandered Qi while praising Cong. Qi grew uneasy and sought Zhuge Liang's counsel on how to protect himself, but Liang would not answer. Later they climbed a high tower together; Qi had the ladder removed and said to Zhuge Liang, "Today we are neither under heaven nor upon earth. What leaves your lips reaches only my ears. Will you speak now?" Zhuge Liang said, "Have you not seen how Shensheng was endangered though he stayed within, while Chong'er was safe though he lived abroad?" Qi understood at once and secretly devised a plan to leave home. When Huang Zu died, Qi asked to succeed him, and Liu Biao appointed him Administrator of Jiangxia. When Liu Biao fell gravely ill, Qi returned to visit him. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun feared that if Qi saw Liu Biao, father and son would be moved to reconcile and Qi might again be considered for the succession. They told him, "The General has charged you with governing Jiangxia—a weighty responsibility; if you leave your post without permission, you will surely be rebuked in anger. To distress your father and worsen his illness is not filial." They kept him outside the door and would not let him in. Qi left in tears. When Liu Biao died, Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and the others installed Cong as his successor. Cong offered the marquis seal to Qi. Qi angrily threw it to the ground and was about to raise trouble during the mourning. When Cao Cao's army arrived, Qi fled south of the Yangtze.

章陵太守蒯越及東曹掾傅巽等勸劉琮降操，曰：「逆順有大體，強弱有定勢。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，將何以待敵？且將軍自料何如劉備？若備不足御曹公，則雖全楚不能以自存也；若足御曹公，則備不為將軍下也。」琮從之。九月，操至新野，琮遂舉州降，以節迎操。諸將皆疑其詐，婁圭曰：「天下擾攘，各貪王命以自重，今以節來，是必至誠。」操遂進兵。時劉備屯樊，琮不敢告備。備久之乃覺，遣所親問琮，琮令其官屬宋忠詣備宣旨。時曹操已在宛，備乃大驚駭，謂忠曰：「卿諸人作事如此，不早相語，今禍至方告我，不亦太劇乎！」引刀向忠曰：「今斷卿頭，不足以解忿，亦恥丈夫臨別復殺卿輩。」遣忠去。乃呼部曲共議。或勸備攻琮，荊州可得。備曰：「劉荊州臨亡托我以孤遺，背信自濟，吾所不為，死何面目以見劉荊州乎！」備將其眾去，過襄陽，駐馬呼琮；琮懼，不能起。琮左右及荊州人多歸備。備過辭表墓，涕泣而去。比到當陽，眾十餘萬人，輜重數千兩，日行十餘里，別遣關羽乘船數百艘，使會江陵。或謂備曰：「宜速行保江陵，今雖擁大眾，被甲者少，若曹公兵至，何以拒之！」備曰：「夫濟大事必以人為本，今人歸吾，吾何忍棄去！」

Zhangling Administrator Kuai Yue and Eastern Bureau Assistant Fu Xun urged Liu Cong to surrender to Cao Cao, saying, "Right and wrong have their proper measure, and strength and weakness have their fixed pattern. For a subject to resist his sovereign is rebellion; for a newly formed Chu to face the Central Plains is perilous; and for Liu Bei to stand against Cao Cao is no match at all. You are deficient in all three respects—how can you face the enemy? Moreover, General, how do you compare yourself with Liu Bei? If Liu Bei cannot withstand Cao Cao, then even with all Chu intact you cannot save yourself; and if he can withstand Cao Cao, then Liu Bei will not serve under you." Liu Cong accepted their counsel. In the ninth month Cao Cao reached Xinye. Liu Cong surrendered the entire province and went out with his seal of authority to welcome him. The generals suspected a ruse, but Lou Gui said, "In this chaotic age every man clings to imperial authority to magnify himself. He comes bearing his seal—this must be genuine." Cao Cao then marched forward. Liu Bei was then encamped at Fan, and Liu Cong did not dare tell him. Only after some time did Liu Bei learn of it. He sent a close associate to question Liu Cong, who dispatched his officer Song Zhong to announce the decision. Cao Cao was already at Wan. Liu Bei was thunderstruck and said to Song Zhong, "You people act like this—why tell me only now, when disaster is upon us? Is this not too cruel!" He drew his sword on Song Zhong and said, "Cutting off your head would not ease my anger, and I would be ashamed to kill you at our parting." He sent Song Zhong away. He then summoned his officers to counsel. Some urged Liu Bei to attack Liu Cong and seize Jing Province. Liu Bei said, "Lord Liu of Jing entrusted his orphan to me on his deathbed. I will not betray that trust to save myself. Dead, with what face could I meet him!" Liu Bei led his followers away. Passing Xiangyang, he reined in and called to Liu Cong; Liu Cong was too afraid to rise. Those around Liu Cong and many people of Jing Province went over to Liu Bei. Liu Bei stopped to mourn at Liu Biao's tomb, weeping as he departed. By the time he reached Dangyang he had more than a hundred thousand followers and several thousand wagons, and advanced only ten-odd li a day. He sent Guan Yu ahead with several hundred boats to rendezvous at Jiangling. Someone told Liu Bei, "You should march quickly and secure Jiangling. Though your crowd is large, few are armed. When Cao Cao's troops arrive, how will you resist them!" Liu Bei said, "Great undertakings must be founded on the people. Now that they have come to me, how can I abandon them!"

習鑿齒論曰：劉玄德雖顛沛險難而信義愈明，勢逼事危而言不失道。追景升之顧，則情感三軍；戀赴義之士，則甘與同敗。終濟大業，不亦宜乎！

Xi Zuoshi commented: Though Liu Bei suffered reversal in peril and hardship, his faith and righteousness shone all the clearer; pressed by danger, his words never departed from the Way. Honoring Liu Biao's trust moved the hearts of the three armies; and cherishing those who followed him for righteousness, he was willing to share defeat with them. That he finally achieved the great enterprise—is this not as it should be!

劉琮將王威說琮曰：「曹操聞將軍既降，劉備已走，必懈弛無備，輕先單進。若給威奇兵數千，徼之於險，操可獲也。獲操，即威震四海，非徒保守今日而已。」琮不納。操以江陵有軍實，恐劉備據之，乃釋輜重，輕軍到襄陽。聞備已過，操將精騎五千急追之，一日一夜行三百餘里，及於當陽之長板。備棄妻子，與諸葛亮、張飛、趙雲等數十騎走，操大獲其人眾輜重。

Liu Cong's officer Wang Wei urged him, saying, "Cao Cao, hearing that you have surrendered and Liu Bei has fled, will surely relax his guard and advance lightly ahead. Give me a few thousand picked troops to ambush him in a defile, and Cao Cao can be taken. Capture Cao Cao and your fame will shake the realm—not merely preserve what you hold today." Liu Cong refused. Because Jiangling held military stores, Cao Cao feared Liu Bei would seize them. He abandoned his baggage and marched lightly to Xiangyang. Learning that Liu Bei had already passed, Cao Cao led five thousand picked cavalry in pursuit, covering more than three hundred li in a day and a night, and caught him at Changban in Dangyang. Liu Bei abandoned his wife and children and fled with Zhuge Liang, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and a few dozen horsemen. Cao Cao captured his people, followers, and baggage in great numbers.

徐庶母為操所獲，庶辭備，指其心曰：「本欲與將軍共圖王霸之業者，以此方寸之地也。今已失老母，方寸亂矣，無益於事，請從此別。」遂詣操。張飛將二十騎拒後，飛據水斷橋，瞋目橫矛曰：「身是張益德也，可來共決死！」操兵無敢近者。或謂備：「趙雲已北走。」備以手戟擿之曰：「子龍不棄我走也。」頃之，雲身抱備子禪，與關羽船會，得濟沔，遇劉琦眾萬餘人，與俱到夏口。曹操進軍江陵，以劉琮為青州刺史，封列侯，並蒯越等，侯者凡十五人。釋韓嵩之囚，待以交友之禮，使條品州人優劣，皆擢而用之。以嵩為大鴻臚，蒯越為光祿勳，劉先為尚書，鄧羲為侍中。荊州大將南陽文聘別屯在外，琮之降也，呼聘，欲與俱。聘曰：「聘不能全州，當待罪而已！」操濟漢，聘乃詣操。操曰：「來何遲邪？」聘曰：「先日不能輔弼劉荊州以奉國家；荊州雖沒，常願據守漢川，保全土境。生不負於孤弱，死無愧於地下。而計不在己，以至於此，實懷悲慚，無顏早見耳！」遂歔欷流涕。操為之愴然，字謂之曰：「仲業，卿真忠臣也！」厚禮待之，使統本兵，為江夏太守。

Xu Shu's mother was captured by Cao Cao. Xu Shu took leave of Liu Bei, pointing to his heart, and said, "I wished to join you in the enterprise of empire—for the sake of this one square cun of loyalty. Now that my mother is taken, my heart is in turmoil and I can be of no further use. I must leave you." He then went over to Cao Cao. Zhang Fei led twenty horsemen to cover the retreat. He took the bridge over the stream, glared, and leveled his spear, shouting, "I am Zhang Yide! Come and fight to the death!" None of Cao Cao's troops dared approach. Someone told Liu Bei, "Zhao Yun has already fled north." Liu Bei flung aside a hand halberd and said, "Zilong would never abandon me." Before long Zhao Yun appeared, carrying Liu Bei's son Liu Shan in his arms. He joined Guan Yu's boats, crossed the Han, met Liu Qi's force of more than ten thousand men, and together they reached Xiakou. Cao Cao marched on Jiangling, appointing Liu Cong governor of Qing Province and enfeoffing him as a full marquis; Kuai Yue and others received the same rank — fifteen men in all. He freed Han Song from prison, received him as a friend, and had him rank the men of the province; those judged worthy were all promoted and put to use. Han Song was made Grand Herald, Kuai Yue Superintendent of the Imperial Household, Liu Xian Director of the Masters of Writing, and Deng Yi Palace Attendant. Wen Pin of Nanyang, a senior Jingzhou general camped apart from the main force, was summoned when Liu Cong surrendered — Cong wanted them to submit together. Wen Pin said, "I failed to hold the whole province — I deserve only to await punishment! After Cao Cao crossed the Han River, Wen Pin went to see him. Cao Cao said, "Why did you come so late? Wen Pin said, "I could not earlier assist Governor Liu of Jing in serving the state; and though Jingzhou is lost, I always hoped to hold the Han River line and keep our lands intact. In life I would not betray the helpless; in death I would have no shame before the dead. But matters were not in my hands, and things came to this. My grief and shame are real — I had no face to come before you sooner!" He broke down sobbing. Cao Cao was deeply moved. He addressed Wen Pin by his courtesy name and said, "Zhongye — you are a true loyal minister! Cao Cao treated him with great honor, restored him to command of his original troops, and made him administrator of Jiangxia.

初，袁紹在冀州，遣使迎汝南士大夫。西平和洽，以為冀州土平民強，英桀所利，四戰之地，不如荊州土險民弱，易依倚也，遂從劉表。表以上客待之。洽曰：「所以不從本初，辟爭地也。昏世之主，不可黷近，久而不去，讒慝將興。」遂南之武陵。表辟南陽劉望之為從事，而其友二人皆以讒毀為表所誅，望之又以正諫不合，投傳告歸。望之弟廙謂望之曰：「趙殺鳴犢，仲尼回輪。今兄既不能法柳下惠和光同塵於內，則宜模範蠡遷化於外，坐而自絕於時，殆不可也。」望之不從，尋復見害，廙奔揚州。南陽韓暨避袁術之命，徙居山都山。劉表又辟之，遂遁居孱陵。表深恨之，暨懼，應命，除宜城長。河東裴潛亦為表所禮重，潛私謂王暢之子粲及河內司馬芝曰：「劉牧非霸王之才，乃欲西伯自處，其敗無日矣！」遂南適長沙。於是操以暨為丞相士曹屬，潛參丞相軍事，洽、廙、粲皆為掾屬，芝為管令，從人望也。

Earlier, while Yuan Shao held Ji Province, he sent envoys to summon scholar-officials from Runan. He Qia of Xiping believed Ji Province's plains and strong population made it a prize every hero fought over — better to trust Jingzhou's rugged terrain and weaker commons, which was easier to lean on. He went to Liu Biao. Liu Biao received him as an honored guest. He Qia said, "I did not follow Benchu because he was recruiting on contested ground. A lord in a dark age must not be kept too close; linger too long and slander will rise." He went south to Wuling. Liu Biao recruited Liu Wangzhi of Nanyang as an aide, but two friends of Wangzhi were executed on trumped-up slander charges; when Wangzhi's frank remonstrances also failed to persuade, he resigned and asked to go home. Liu Wangzhi's brother Liu Yi said to him, "When Zhao killed Bo Ni, Confucius turned his carriage around. If you cannot be like Liu Xiahui and blend your light with the dust at home, then take Fan Li as your model and transform yourself abroad. To sit here and cut yourself off from the world will scarcely do." Wangzhi refused. Soon he was killed again, and Yi fled to Yang Province. Han Ji of Nanyang fled Yuan Shu's summons and moved to Mount Shandu. When Liu Biao summoned him again, he hid at Chaling. Liu Biao resented this deeply; fearful, Han Ji accepted and was appointed magistrate of Yicheng. Pei Qian of Hedong was also honored by Liu Biao, but he privately told Wang Cai, son of Wang Chang, and Sima Zhi of Henei, "Governor Liu lacks the talent of a true hegemon — he merely plays at being the Earl of the West. His fall will come any day now! He went south to Changsha. Cao Cao then appointed Han Ji clerk in the chancellor's personnel bureau, Pei Qian as a military aide on his staff, He Qia, Liu Yi, and Wang Cai as staff officials, and Sima Zhi as a county magistrate — all men the people respected.

冬，十月，癸未朔，日有食之。

In winter, in the tenth month, on the new moon of guiwei, there was a solar eclipse.

初，魯肅聞劉表卒，言於孫權曰：「荊州與國鄰接，江山險固，沃野萬里，士民殷富，若據而有之，此帝王之資也。今劉表新亡，二子不協，軍中諸將，各有彼此。劉備天下梟雄，與操有隙，寄寓於表，表惡其能而不能用也。若備與彼協心，上下齊同，則宜撫安，與結盟好；如有離違，宜別圖之，以濟大事。肅請得奉命弔表二子，並慰勞其軍中用事者，及說備使撫表眾，同心一意，共治曹操，備必喜而從命。如其克諧，天下可定也。今不速往，恐為操所先。」權即遣肅行。

Earlier, when Lu Su heard Liu Biao had died, he told Sun Quan, "Jingzhou borders our territory — rivers and mountains strong, fertile land for ten thousand li, a rich and populous province. Seize it, and you have the foundation of an empire. Liu Biao has just died. His two sons do not agree, and the army's generals are split among themselves. Liu Bei is a hero of the age and Cao Cao's enemy; he had been Liu Biao's guest, and Biao, jealous of his ability, never fully used him. If Liu Bei and the Jingzhou leaders stand together, we should reassure them and make an alliance; if they fall apart, we should plan separately to advance the great design. Let me go with your commission to mourn Liu Biao's sons, reassure the men who hold power in their army, and urge Liu Bei to rally Biao's followers in a united stand against Cao Cao. Liu Bei will surely agree gladly. If we achieve that harmony, the realm can be settled. If we do not go quickly, Cao Cao will get there first." Sun Quan sent Lu Su at once.

到夏口，聞操已向荊州，晨夜兼道，比至南郡，而琮已降，備南走，肅徑迎之，與備會於當陽長板。肅宣權旨，論天下事勢，致殷勤之意，且問備曰：「豫州今欲何至？」備曰：「與蒼梧太守吳巨有舊，欲往投之。」肅曰：「孫討虜聰明仁惠，敬賢禮士，江表英豪，咸歸附之，已據有六郡，兵精糧多，足以立事。今為君計，莫若遣腹心自結於東，以共濟世業。而欲投吳巨，巨是凡人，偏在遠郡，行將為人所並，豈足託乎！」備甚悅。肅又謂諸葛亮曰：「我，子瑜友也。」即共定交。子瑜者，亮兄瑾也，避亂江東，為孫權長史。備用肅計，進住鄂縣之樊口。

Reaching Xiakou, Lu Su learned Cao Cao was already marching on Jingzhou. He raced day and night, but by the time he reached Nan Commandery, Liu Cong had surrendered and Liu Bei had fled south. Lu Su went straight to meet him, and they joined at Changban in Dangyang. Lu Su conveyed Sun Quan's intent, discussed the situation under heaven, offered warm assurances, and asked Liu Bei, "Governor Yu — where do you mean to go? Liu Bei said, "I have old ties with Wu Ju, administrator of Cangwu. I mean to go to him. Lu Su said, "General Who Exterminates Barbarians Sun is wise and humane, honors worthies and scholars, and has drawn every hero south of the Yangzi to his side. He holds six commanderies with elite troops and ample grain — enough to build a great undertaking. For you, the best course is to send your trusted lieutenants eastward to bind yourselves to him and together pursue the work of the age. But Wu Ju is an ordinary man in a remote commandery, soon to be swallowed by someone else — how could you entrust yourself to him?" Liu Bei was greatly pleased. Lu Su also told Zhuge Liang, "I am a friend of Ziyu. They thereupon formed a friendship. Ziyu was Zhuge Liang's elder brother Zhuge Jin, who had fled to the southeast and served Sun Quan as chief clerk. Liu Bei followed Lu Su's counsel and moved to Fan Ford in E County.

曹操自江陵將順江東下。諸葛亮謂劉備曰：「事急矣，請奉命求救於孫將軍。」遂與魯肅俱詣孫權。亮見權於柴桑，說權曰：「海內大亂，將軍起兵江東，劉豫州收眾漢南，與曹操共爭天下。今操芟夷大難，略已平矣，遂破荊州，威震四海。英雄無用武之地，故豫州遁逃至此，願將軍量力而處之。若能以吳、越之眾與中國抗衡，不如早與之絕；若不能，何不按兵束甲，北面而事之！今將軍外託服從之名，而內懷猶豫之計，事急而不斷，禍至無日矣。」權曰：「苟如君言，劉豫州何不遂事之乎！」亮曰：「田橫，齊之壯士耳，猶守義不辱；況劉豫州王室之冑，英才蓋世，眾士慕仰，若水之歸海！若事之不濟，此乃天也，安能復為之下乎！」權勃然曰：「吾不能舉全吳之地，十萬之眾，受制於人。吾計決矣！非劉豫州莫可以當曹操者；然豫州新敗之後，安能抗此難乎！」亮曰：「豫州軍雖敗於長板，今戰士還者及關羽水軍精甲萬人，劉琦合江夏戰士亦不下萬人。曹操之眾，遠來疲敝，聞追豫州，輕騎一日一夜行三百餘里，此所謂『強弩之末勢不能穿魯縞』者也。故《兵法》忌之，曰『必蹶上將軍』。且北方之人，不習水戰；又，荊州之民附操者，偪兵勢耳，非心服也。今將軍誠能命猛將統兵數萬，與豫州協規同力，破操軍必矣。操軍破，必北還；如此，則荊、吳之勢強，鼎足之形成矣。成敗之機，在於今日！」權大悅，與其群下謀之。

From Jiangling, Cao Cao prepared to descend the Yangzi. Zhuge Liang told Liu Bei, "This is urgent — let me go with your commission to beg aid from General Sun. He went with Lu Su to see Sun Quan. At Chaisang, Zhuge Liang addressed Sun Quan: "The empire is in chaos. You raised your banner east of the Yangzi; Liu Yu Governor gathered men in southern Han and contended with Cao Cao for the realm. Cao Cao has now swept aside the great troubles, nearly pacified the land, broken Jingzhou, and shaken all under heaven with his might. Heroes have nowhere to stand — that is why Liu Yu Governor fled here. I ask you to weigh your strength and decide. If you can match the Central Plains with Wu and Yue's forces, break with him at once; if you cannot, why not sheathe your arms and submit to him as a vassal of the north! You wear the mask of submission but nurture hesitation within. The crisis will not wait — disaster will come any day." Sun Quan said, "If that is so, why has Liu Yu Governor not simply submitted to Cao Cao? Zhuge Liang said, "Tian Heng was only a stalwart of Qi, yet he kept faith and refused dishonor; how much more Liu Yu Governor — imperial scion, talent surpassing his age, with men flocking to him as rivers run to the sea! If he fails, that is Heaven's will — but how could he bow beneath another man!" Sun Quan flared up. "I will not surrender all Wu and a hundred thousand men to another's control! My mind is made up! Only Liu Yu Governor can stand against Cao Cao — but after his fresh defeat, how can he meet this crisis?" Zhuge Liang said, "Though Liu Yu Governor was beaten at Changban, the soldiers who have returned plus Guan Yu's river force in fine armor number ten thousand; with Liu Qi's Jiangxia troops, he still commands no fewer than ten thousand men. Cao Cao's men come from far away, exhausted. I hear his light cavalry pursued Liu Yu Governor three hundred li and more in a single day and night — like a strong crossbow at the end of its force, unable to pierce a bolt of Lu silk. The Art of War forbids this, saying, 'Such a march will surely topple the commander.' Northerners are not trained for river fighting; and those in Jingzhou who follow Cao Cao do so only under the force of arms — they are not loyal at heart. If you dispatch fierce generals with tens of thousands of men and join Liu Yu Governor in united effort, Cao Cao's army will surely be broken. When Cao is broken, he must retreat north; then Jing and Wu will grow strong, and the tripod of three powers will stand. Success or failure turns on this day!" Sun Quan was greatly pleased and took counsel with his officers.

是時，曹操遺權書曰：「近者奉辭伐罪，旄麾南指，劉琮束手。今治水軍八十萬眾，方與將軍會獵於吳。」權以示群下，莫不響震失色。長史張昭等曰：「曹公，豺虎也，挾天子以征四方，動以朝廷為辭；今日拒之，事更不順。且將軍大勢可以拒操者，長江也。今操得荊州，奄有其地，劉表治水軍，蒙沖鬥艦乃以千數，操悉浮以沿江，兼有步兵，水陸俱下，此為長江之險已與我共之矣，而勢力眾寡又不可論。愚謂大計不如迎之。」魯肅獨不言。權起更衣，肅追於宇下。權知其意，執肅手曰：「卿欲何言？」肅曰：「向察眾人之議，專欲誤將軍，不足與圖大事。今肅可迎操耳，如將軍不可也。何以言之？今肅迎操，操當以肅還付鄉黨，品其名位，猶不失下曹從事，乘犢車，從吏卒，交遊士林，累官故不失州郡也。將軍迎操，欲安所歸乎？願早定大計，莫用眾人之議也！」權歎息曰：「諸人持議，甚失孤望。今卿廓開大計，正與孤同。」

At that time Cao Cao sent Sun Quan a letter: "Recently, bearing the emperor's commission to punish rebellion, I turned my banners south and Liu Cong surrendered without a fight. I am now mustering an army of eight hundred thousand for river warfare and mean to meet you for a hunt in Wu." Sun Quan showed it to his officers; every face paled with shock. Chief Clerk Zhang Zhao and others said, "Lord Cao is a wolf and a tiger. He holds the Son of Heaven and campaigns in every direction, always invoking the court's name. Resist him now, and our position grows worse still. Your great advantage against Cao Cao is the Yangzi River. But Cao Cao now holds Jingzhou and with it Liu Biao's river fleet — covered assault ships and fighting vessels by the thousand — which he floats downriver alongside his infantry. The Yangzi's advantage is no longer ours alone, and our numbers cannot be compared. The wisest course is to surrender to him." Lu Su alone said nothing. Sun Quan rose to change clothes; Lu Su followed him beneath the eaves. Sun Quan understood him, took his hand, and said, "What did you want to say? Lu Su said, "Those men mean only to mislead you. They are not fit to plan the great affair with. I could surrender to Cao Cao — but you could not. How so? If I surrender, Cao Cao will send me home, rate my standing, and I may still become a low bureau clerk — riding an ox cart with attendants, mixing with scholars, rising through offices until I hold a prefecture or commandery post. If you surrender, where will you go? Settle the great plan quickly — do not follow their counsel!" Sun Quan sighed. "Their counsel has deeply disappointed me. What you have opened up matches my mind exactly."

時周瑜受使至番陽，肅勸權召瑜還。瑜至，謂權曰：「操雖托名漢相，其實漢賊也。將軍以神武雄才，兼仗父兄之烈，割據江東，地方數千里，兵精足用，英雄樂業，當橫行天下，為漢家除殘去穢；況操自送死，而可迎之邪？請為將軍籌之：今北土未平、馬超、韓遂尚在關西，為操後患；而操捨鞍馬，杖舟楫，與吳、越爭衡；今又盛寒，馬無蒿草，驅中國士眾遠涉江湖之間，不習水土，必生疾病。此數者用兵之患也，而操皆冒行之。將軍禽操，宜在今日。瑜請得精兵數萬人，進住夏口，保為將軍破之！」權曰：「老賊欲廢漢自立久矣，徒忌二袁、呂布、劉表與孤耳；今數雄已滅，惟孤尚存。孤與老賊勢不兩立，君言當擊，甚與孤合，此天以君授孤也。」因拔刀斫前奏案曰：「諸將吏敢復有言當迎操者，與此案同！」乃罷會。

Zhou Yu was then on a mission to Poyang; Lu Su urged Sun Quan to recall him. When Zhou Yu arrived, he told Sun Quan, "Cao Cao wears the title of Chancellor of Han, but in truth he is the Han dynasty's traitor. You possess divine martial prowess and heroic genius, and you build on the glory of your father and elder brother. You hold a domain of thousands of li east of the Yangtze, with elite troops, ample supplies, and men of merit who delight in their posts. You ought to sweep the empire and purge the Han's corruption and wickedness. Besides, Cao Cao is marching to his own ruin. How can you welcome him? Let me lay this out for you: the North is not yet pacified, Ma Chao and Han Sui still hold Guanxi — a threat at Cao Cao's rear. Yet he has abandoned horses for boats and means to contest the South on the water. It is deep winter; the horses lack forage. He is driving northern troops far into the river country, where they are unaccustomed to the climate — sickness is inevitable. Each of these is a grave military risk, and Cao Cao is taking every one. The moment to capture Cao Cao is today. Give me several tens of thousands of elite troops to advance on Xiakou — I guarantee I will break him for you!" Sun Quan said, "That old villain has long wanted to overthrow Han and rule in his own name. He has feared only the two Yuans, Lu Bu, Liu Biao, and me. Now those rivals are gone, and I alone remain. That old villain and I cannot both endure. Your counsel to fight matches my mind exactly. Heaven has sent you to me." He drew his sword and struck the council table before him. "Any officer who dares speak again of welcoming Cao Cao shall share the fate of this table! The council was dismissed.

是夜，瑜復見權曰：「諸人徒見操書言水步八十萬而各恐懾，不復料其虛實，便開此議，甚無謂也。今以實校之：彼所將中國人不過十五六萬，且已久疲；所得表眾亦極七八萬耳，尚懷狐疑。夫以疲病之卒禦狐疑之眾，眾數雖多，甚未足畏。瑜得精兵五萬，自足制之，願將軍勿慮！」權撫其背曰：「公瑾，卿言至此，甚合孤心。子布、元表諸人，各顧妻子，挾持私慮，深失所望；獨卿與子敬與孤同耳，此天以卿二人讚孤也。五萬兵難卒合，已選三萬人，船糧戰具俱辦。卿與子敬、程公便在前發，孤當續發人眾，多載資糧，為卿後援。卿能辦之者誠決，邂逅不如意，便還就孤，孤當與孟德決之。」遂以周瑜、程普為左右督，將兵與備並力逆操；以魯肅為贊軍校尉，助畫方略。

That night Zhou Yu saw Sun Quan again. "The others saw Cao Cao's letter claiming eight hundred thousand men on land and water, and they were terrified. They never weighed truth against bluster and opened this debate — it was absurd. Measured against reality, his northern troops number no more than one hundred fifty or sixty thousand, and they are already exhausted. The men he took from Liu Biao amount to at most seventy or eighty thousand, and they are still full of doubt. Weary, sick troops leading a doubtful multitude — however many they are, they are hardly to be feared. Give me fifty thousand elite troops and I can handle them. Do not worry!" Sun Quan clapped him on the back. "Gongjin, what you have said matches my mind exactly. Zhang Zhao, Qin Song, and the rest look only to their wives and children, nursing private fears — they have deeply disappointed me. Only you and Zijing stand with me. Heaven has sent you both to aid me. Fifty thousand men cannot be gathered at once, but I have already chosen thirty thousand. Ships, grain, and weapons are ready. You, Lu Su, and Cheng Pu will go ahead at once. I will keep sending men and supplies as your rear support. If you can win, do so decisively. If fortune turns against you, come back to me — I will settle matters with Cao Cao myself." He then appointed Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu joint commanders-in-chief and sent their troops to join Liu Bei in opposing Cao Cao. Lu Su was made Staff Major to help plan the campaign.

劉備在樊口，日遣邏吏於水次候望權軍。吏望見瑜船，馳往白備，備遣人慰勞之。瑜曰：「有軍任，不可得委署；儻能屈威，誠副其所望。」備乃乘單舸往見瑜問曰：「今拒曹公，深為得計。戰卒有幾？」瑜曰：「三萬人。」備曰：「恨少。」瑜曰：「此自足用，豫州但觀瑜破之。」備欲呼魯肅等共會語，瑜曰：「受命不得妄委署。若欲見子敬，可別過之。」備深愧喜。

Liu Bei was at Fankou and each day sent patrol officers to the riverbank to watch for Sun Quan's fleet. When an officer sighted Zhou Yu's ships, he raced to tell Liu Bei, who sent men to greet and thank him. Zhou Yu said, "I have military duties and cannot leave my post. If you would honor me with a visit, that would truly fulfill my hopes." Liu Bei took a single boat to see Zhou Yu and said, "Resisting Cao Cao now is exactly the right course. How many fighting men do you have?" Zhou Yu said, "Thirty thousand. Liu Bei said, "Too few, I fear. Zhou Yu said, "That is enough. Governor Liu, just watch me break them. Liu Bei wanted to summon Lu Su and the others to talk together. Zhou Yu said, "I have my orders and cannot leave my post without cause. If you wish to see Zijing, you may visit him separately." Liu Bei was deeply abashed — and pleased.

進，與操遇於赤壁。

They advanced and met Cao Cao at Red Cliffs.

時操軍眾已有疾疫，初一交戰，操軍不利，引次江北。瑜等在南岸，瑜部將黃蓋曰：「今寇眾我寡，難與持久。操軍方連船艦，首尾相接，可燒而走也。」乃取蒙沖鬥艦十艘，載燥荻、枯柴、灌油其中，裹以帷幕，上建旌旗，預備走舸，繫於其尾。先以書遺操，詐雲欲降。時東南風急，蓋以十艦最著前，中江舉帆，餘船以次俱進。操軍吏士皆出營立觀，指言蓋降。去北軍二里餘，同時發火，火烈風猛，船往如箭，燒盡北船，延及岸上營落。頃之，煙炎張天，人馬燒溺死者甚眾。瑜等率輕銳繼其後，雷鼓大進，北軍大壞。操引軍從華容道步走，遇泥濘，道不通，天又大風，悉使羸兵負草填之，騎乃得過。羸兵為人馬所蹈藉，陷泥中，死者甚眾。劉備、周瑜水陸並進，追操至南郡。時操軍兼以饑疫，死者太半。操乃留征南將軍曹仁、橫野將軍徐晃守江陵，折衝將軍樂進守襄陽，引軍北還。

Cao Cao's army was already stricken with plague. At the first clash his forces fared badly and withdrew to camp north of the river. Zhou Yu's force was on the south bank. His subordinate Huang Gai said, "The enemy outnumbers us; we cannot fight a long battle. Cao Cao's ships are chained bow to stern. We can burn them and put his army to flight." They took ten assault ships, loaded them with dry reeds, kindling, and oil, covered them with awnings, raised banners on deck, and tied escape boats to their sterns. Huang Gai first sent Cao Cao a letter feigning surrender. The southeast wind blew hard. Huang Gai put his ten ships in the lead, raised sail midstream, and the rest followed in order. Cao Cao's officers and men came out of camp to watch, pointing and saying Huang Gai was coming over. When they were a little over two li from the northern camp, the ships were fired all at once. Flames leaped and the wind roared; the burning vessels shot forward like arrows, consumed the northern fleet, and spread to the shore camps. In moments smoke and fire filled the sky. Vast numbers of men and horses burned or drowned. Zhou Yu led light elite troops in pursuit, drums thundering as they pressed forward. The northern army collapsed. Cao Cao led his army out on foot along the Huarong road. The path was mud-choked and impassable, and a fierce wind blew. He ordered weak soldiers to pack the mire with grass so the cavalry could pass. The weak soldiers were trampled under men and horses, sank in the mud, and died in vast numbers. Liu Bei and Zhou Yu pressed the pursuit by land and water as far as Nan Commandery. Between hunger and plague, more than half of Cao Cao's army was dead. Cao Cao left Cao Ren and Xu Huang to hold Jiangling and Yue Jin to hold Xiangyang, then led the remainder of his army north.

周瑜、程普將數萬眾，與曹仁隔江未戰。甘寧請先徑進取夷陵，往，即得其城，因入守之。益州將襲肅舉軍降，周瑜表以肅兵益橫野中郎將呂蒙。蒙盛稱：「肅有膽用，且慕化遠來，於義宜益，不宜奪也。」權善其言，還肅兵。曹仁遣兵圍甘寧，寧困急，求救於周瑜，諸將以為兵少不足分，呂蒙謂周瑜、程普曰：「留凌公績於江陵，蒙與君行，解圍釋急，勢亦不久。蒙保公績能十日守也。」瑜從之，大破仁兵於夷陵，獲馬三百匹而還。於是將士形勢自倍。瑜乃渡江，頓北岸，與仁相距。十二月，孫權自將圍合肥，使張昭攻九江之當塗，不克。

Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu commanded tens of thousands of men and faced Cao Ren across the river without yet giving battle. Gan Ning asked to strike first for Yiling. He took the city at once and garrisoned it. The Yizhou general Xi Su surrendered with his whole force. Zhou Yu memorialized that Su's troops be added to Lu Meng's command. Lu Meng spoke warmly in Su's favor: "Su has courage and talent, and he came from afar drawn by our rule. By right his force should be added to, not taken away. Sun Quan approved and restored Su's troops to him. Cao Ren sent troops to besiege Gan Ning, who was in dire straits and appealed to Zhou Yu. The other generals said their force was too small to split. Lu Meng told Zhou Yu and Cheng Pu, "Leave Ling Tong at Jiangling. I will go with you — relieving the siege will not take long. I guarantee Ling Tong can hold for ten days." Zhou Yu agreed. They routed Cao Ren's force at Yiling, captured three hundred horses, and returned. Officers and men alike took fresh heart. Zhou Yu then crossed the river, encamped on the north bank, and faced Cao Ren. In the twelfth month Sun Quan personally besieged Hefei and sent Zhang Zhao against Dangtu in Jiujiang, but Zhang Zhao failed to take it.

劉備表劉琦為荊州刺史，引兵南徇四郡，武陵太守金旋、長沙太守韓玄、桂陽太守趙范、零陵太守劉度皆降。廬江營帥雷緒率部曲數萬口歸備。備以諸葛亮為軍師中郎將，使督零陵、桂陽、長沙三郡，調其賦稅以充軍實；以偏將軍趙雲領桂陽太守。

Liu Bei memorialized to make Liu Qi Governor of Jing Province and marched south to subdue the four southern commanderies. The grand administrators Jin Xuan of Wuling, Han Xuan of Changsha, Zhao Fan of Guiyang, and Liu Du of Lingling all surrendered. Lei Xu, a Lujiang camp commander, brought his personal following of tens of thousands to join Liu Bei. Liu Bei appointed Zhuge Liang General of the Staff and put him in charge of Lingling, Guiyang, and Changsha, levying their taxes to supply the army. He made Lieutenant General Zhao Yun acting Grand Administrator of Guiyang.

益州牧劉璋聞曹操克荊州，遣別駕張松致敬於操。松為人短小放蕩，然識達精果。操時已定荊州，走劉備，不復存錄松。主簿楊修白操辟松，操不納；松以此怨，歸，勸劉璋絕操，與劉備相結，璋從之。

When Liu Zhang, Governor of Yizhou, heard that Cao Cao had taken Jing Province, he sent his aide Zhang Song to pay his respects to Cao Cao. Zhang Song was short in stature and loose in manner, but shrewd, far-seeing, and resolute. Cao Cao had by then secured Jing Province and driven Liu Bei off. He took no further notice of Zhang Song. Chief Clerk Yang Xiu urged Cao Cao to recruit Zhang Song, but Cao Cao refused. Zhang Song resented the snub. On returning home he urged Liu Zhang to break with Cao Cao and ally with Liu Bei, and Liu Zhang agreed.

習鑿齒論曰：昔齊桓一矜其功而叛者九國，曹操暫自驕伐而天下三分。皆勤之於數十年之內，而棄之於俯仰之頃，豈不惜乎！

Xi Zuochi wrote: Once Duke Huan of Qi grew proud of a single victory and nine states rebelled against him. Cao Cao, briefly drunk on conquest, saw the empire split in three. Both had toiled for decades only to lose it all in a moment. What waste!

曹操追念田疇功，恨前聽其讓，曰：「是成一人之志而虧王法大制也。」乃復以前爵封疇。疇上疏陳誠，以死自誓。操不聽，欲引拜之，至於數四，終不受。有司劾疇：「狷介違道，苟立小節，宜免官加刑。」操下世子及大臣博議。世子丕以「疇同於子文辭祿，由胥逃賞，宜勿奪以優其節。」尚書令荀彧、司隸校尉鍾繇，亦以為可聽。操猶欲侯之，疇素與夏侯惇善，操使惇自以其情喻之。惇就疇宿而勸之，疇揣知其指，不復發言。惇臨去，固邀疇，疇曰：「疇，負義逃竄之人耳；蒙恩全活，為幸多矣，豈可賣盧龍之塞以易賞祿哉！縱國私疇，疇獨不愧於心乎！將軍雅知疇者，猶復如此，若必不得已，請願效死，刎首於前。」言未卒，涕泣橫流。惇具以答操，操喟然，知不可屈，乃拜為議郎。

Cao Cao recalled Tian Chou's service and regretted having honored his earlier refusal. "That satisfied one man's scruples," he said, "but it damaged the great order of royal law. He again enfeoffed Tian Chou with his former rank. Tian Chou submitted a memorial declaring his sincerity and swearing he would rather die. Cao Cao would not listen and tried again and again to summon him for investiture. Tian Chou refused to the end. The responsible officials impeached Tian Chou: "Obstinate and contrary to duty, clinging to petty scruples — he should be dismissed and punished. Cao Cao referred the matter to the heir apparent and his ministers for deliberation. The heir apparent Cao Pi argued, "Tian Chou is like Ziwen declining salary and You Xu refusing reward. He should not be punished but honored for his integrity. Director of the Secretariat Xun Yu and Colonel of the Capital District Zhong Yao agreed. Cao Cao still wanted to ennoble him. Tian Chou had long been close to Xiahou Dun, and Cao Cao sent Dun to plead with him in person. Xiahou Dun stayed the night with Tian Chou and pressed him. Tian Chou guessed his purpose and said nothing more. As Xiahou Dun was leaving he pressed the invitation again. Tian Chou said, "I am a man who fled in breach of duty. I have already been spared with my life — that is fortune enough. How could I sell the Lulong Pass for rank and salary! Even if the state indulged me, could I live without shame in my own heart? You know me well, General, yet you still press me. If there is no other way, I beg leave to die and cut my throat before you." Before he finished, tears streamed down his face. Xiahou Dun reported all this to Cao Cao, who sighed and knew Tian Chou could not be moved. He appointed him Gentleman Consultant instead.

操幼子倉舒卒，操傷惜之甚。司空掾邴原女早亡，操欲求與倉舒合葬，原辭曰：「嫁殤，非禮也。原之所以自容於明公，公之所以待原者，以能守訓典而不易也。若聽明公之命，則是凡庸也，明公焉以為哉！」操乃止。

Cao Cao's youngest son Cangshu died, and Cao Cao grieved for him deeply. Attendant of the Minister of Works Bing Yuan's daughter had died young. Cao Cao wished to have her buried with Cangshu. Bing Yuan declined: "Marrying the dead to the unburied young is not proper ritual. The reason I can stand before you, and the reason you treat me as you do, is that I keep to canonical teaching without bending it. If I obeyed your command, I would be no better than any common man. What would you make of that?" Cao Cao desisted.

孫權使威武中郎將賀齊討丹楊黟、歙賊。黟帥陳僕、祖山等二萬戶屯林歷山，四面壁立，不可得攻，軍住經月。齊陰募輕捷士，於隱險處，夜以鐵戈拓山潛上，縣布以援下人。得上者百餘人，令分佈四面，鳴鼓角。賊大驚，守路者皆逆走，還依眾。大軍因是得上，大破之。權乃分其地為新都郡，以齊為太守。

Sun Quan sent General of Majestic Might He Qi against the bandits of Yi and She in Danyang. The Yi chieftains Chen Pu and Zu Shan held Mount Linli with twenty thousand households. Cliffs rose on every side and the position could not be assaulted. He Qi's army halted there for a full month. He Qi secretly recruited agile men. By night, at a hidden defile, they used iron halberds to cut handholds into the cliff and climb up, lowering cloth to haul the men below after them. He sent the more than a hundred men who had reached the summit to spread out on all sides and beat drums and blow horns. The rebels were thrown into panic; the men guarding the paths fled back to the main camp. The main force was thus able to climb up and rout them completely. Sun Quan then carved out their territory as Xindu Commandery and appointed He Qi its administrator.

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