1
資治通鑑第066卷
Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Governance, Volume 66
2
【漢紀五十八】起屠維赤奮若，盡昭陽大荒落，凡五年。
[Han Records 58] Spanning from the year Tuyu Chifenruo through Zhaoyang Dahuangluo—a period of five years.
3
孝獻皇帝辛
Emperor Xian of Han
4
春，三月，曹操軍至譙。
In spring, during the third month, Cao Cao's army arrived at Qiao.
5
孫權圍合肥，久不下。 權率輕騎欲身往突敵，長史張紘諫曰：「夫兵者凶器，戰者危事也。 今麾下恃盛壯之氣，忽強暴之虜，三軍之眾，莫不寒心。 雖斬將搴旗，威震敵場，此乃偏將之任，非主將之宜也。 願抑賁、育之勇，懷霸王之計。」 權乃止。 曹操遣將軍張喜將兵解圍，久而未至。 揚州別駕楚國蔣濟密白刺史，偽得喜書，云步騎四萬已到雩婁，遣主簿迎喜。 三部使繼書語城中守將，一部得入城，二部為權兵所得。 權信之，遽燒圍走。
Sun Quan laid siege to Hefei but could not capture it for a long time. Quan led light cavalry and intended to charge the enemy himself. Chief Clerk Zhang Hong remonstrated: "Weapons are instruments of ill omen, and warfare is a perilous business. Your troops now lean on their peak morale to face a brutal enemy, and the entire army is gripped with fear. Even if you slay enemy generals and seize their banners, winning glory on the battlefield—that is work for a subordinate commander, not for the supreme commander. I urge you to curb the raw daring of warriors like Ben and Yu and instead embrace the grand strategy of a hegemon." With that, Quan desisted. Cao Cao dispatched General Zhang Xi with troops to lift the siege, but they were long in coming. Jiang Ji of Chu, vice-director of Yangzhou, secretly informed the inspector. He forged a letter from Zhang Xi claiming that forty thousand foot and horse troops had already reached Yulu, and sent the chief clerk to welcome Xi. Three messengers in succession delivered letters to the city's defenders. One party got inside; the other two were captured by Quan's forces. Quan believed the report, burned his siege works, and withdrew in haste.
6
秋，七月，曹操引水軍自渦入淮，出肥水，軍合肥，開芍陂屯田。
In autumn, during the seventh month, Cao Cao led his fleet from the Wo River into the Huai, then out onto the Fei River. He stationed his army at Hefei and opened the Quepi reservoir for military colony farming.
7
冬，十月，荊州地震。
In winter, during the tenth month, an earthquake struck Jing province.
8
十二月，操軍還譙。
In the twelfth month, Cao Cao's army returned to Qiao.
9
廬江人陳蘭、梅成據灊、六叛，操遣蕩寇將軍張遼討斬之； 因使遼與樂進、李典等將七千餘人屯合肥。
Chen Lan and Mei Cheng of Lujiang seized Qian and Liu in rebellion. Cao Cao sent the Pacifying Bandits General Zhang Liao to campaign against them and put them to death; he then stationed Liao at Hefei together with Yue Jin, Li Dian, and others, with a garrison of more than seven thousand troops.
10
周瑜攻曹仁歲餘，所殺傷甚眾，仁委城走。 權以瑜領南郡太守，屯據江陵； 程普領江夏太守，治沙羨； 呂范領彭澤太守； 呂蒙領尋陽令。 劉備表權行車騎將軍，領徐州牧。 會劉琦卒，權以備領荊州牧，周瑜分南岸地以給備。 備立營於油口，改名公安。 權以妹妻備。 妹才捷剛猛，有諸兄風，侍婢百餘人，皆執刀侍立，備每入，心常凜凜。
Zhou Yu besieged Cao Ren for more than a year. Casualties on both sides were heavy, and in the end Ren abandoned the city and fled. Quan appointed Zhou Yu Grand Administrator of Nan commandery, with his base at Jiangling; Cheng Pu was made Grand Administrator of Jiangxia, with his seat at Shaxian; Lü Fan was made Grand Administrator of Pengze; and Lü Meng was appointed magistrate of Xunyang. Liu Bei submitted a memorial recommending that Sun Quan be appointed acting General of Chariots and Cavalry and Governor of Xu province. When Liu Qi died, Quan appointed Liu Bei Governor of Jing province, and Zhou Yu allotted him territory on the southern bank of the Yangtze. Bei established his camp at Youkou and renamed the place Gong'an, "Public Peace." Sun Quan gave his sister to Liu Bei in marriage. The sister was clever, forceful, and fierce, with something of her brothers' spirit. More than a hundred maidservants, all armed with swords, stood guard around her. Whenever Bei went in to see her, his heart would fill with dread.
11
曹操密遣九江蔣幹往說周瑜。 幹以才辨獨步於江、淮之間，乃布衣葛巾，自托私行詣瑜。 瑜出迎之，立謂幹曰：「子翼良苦，遠涉江湖，為曹氏作說客邪？」 因延幹，與周觀營中，行視倉庫、軍資、器仗訖，還飲宴，示之侍者服飾珍玩之物。 因謂幹曰：「丈夫處世，遇知己之主，外托君臣之義，內結骨肉之恩，言行計從，禍福共之，假使蘇、張共生，能移其意乎？」 幹但笑，終無所言。 還白操，稱瑜雅量高致，非言辭所能間也。
Cao Cao secretly dispatched Jiang Gan of Jiujiang to win Zhou Yu over. Jiang Gan's eloquence was unrivaled between the Yangtze and the Huai. He came in plain cloth and a hemp headcloth, presenting himself as a private traveler when he called on Zhou Yu. Yu went out to welcome him and said at once: "Ziyi, you have traveled far across rivers and lakes—have you come as a lobbyist for the House of Cao?" He then detained Gan and led him on a tour of the camp, inspecting the storehouses, military supplies, and weapons. When they returned, he held a feast and displayed for him the fine garments and curios of his attendants. He then said to Gan: "When a man meets a lord who truly understands him, outwardly he serves as minister, inwardly he is bound as kin. Word and deed follow that lord, and fortune and misfortune are shared. Even if Su Qin and Zhang Yi were alive together, could they turn my heart?" Jiang Gan only laughed and in the end said nothing at all. When he returned and reported to Cao Cao, he praised Zhou Yu's magnanimity and lofty character, saying that no eloquence could drive a wedge between him and his lord.
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丞相掾和洽言於曹操曰：「天下之人，材德各殊，不可一節取也。 儉素過中，自以處身則可，以此格物，所失或多。 今朝廷之議，吏有著新衣、乘好車者，謂之不清； 形容不飾、衣裘敝壞者，謂之廉潔。 至令士大夫故污辱其衣，藏其輿服； 朝府大吏，或自挈壺飧以入官寺。 夫立教觀俗，貴處中庸，為可繼也。 今崇一概難堪之行以檢殊塗，勉而為之，必有疲瘁。 古之大教，務在通人情而已。 凡激詭之行，則容隱偽矣。」 操善之。
He Qia, an aide in the chancellor's office, said to Cao Cao: "The people of the realm differ in talent and virtue. One cannot judge them all by a single standard. Frugality taken to excess may be fine for one's own conduct, but using it as the measure for everyone else often leads to grave mistakes. Nowadays at court, any official who wears new clothes or rides a fine carriage is called corrupt; while anyone whose appearance is plain and whose fur cloak is threadbare is called incorrupt. It has reached the point that scholars and officials deliberately soil their clothes and hide their carriages and fine robes; and some high officials of the court and provinces even carry their own meals in baskets when they enter government offices. In establishing instruction and shaping custom, what matters is a sustainable middle path. To exalt one unbearable standard of conduct as the test for every different path, and force people to comply, will surely exhaust and ruin them. The great teaching of antiquity was simply to reach through to human nature. Whenever conduct is forced and unnatural, hypocrisy is sure to follow." Cao Cao approved of his advice.
13
孝獻皇帝辛建安十五年（ 庚寅，公元二一零年）
Emperor Xian of Han, fifteenth year of Jian'an ( gengyin, AD 210)
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春，下令曰：「孟公綽為趙、魏老則優，不可以為滕、薛大夫。 若必廉士而後可用，則齊桓其何以霸世！ 二三子其佐我明揚仄陋，唯才是舉，吾得而用之！
In spring, an edict was issued: "Meng Gongchuo would excel as steward for the houses of Zhao and Wei, but he is not fit to serve as a grand officer of Teng or Xue. If only the incorrupt may be employed, how could Duke Huan of Qi ever have dominated his age! Assist me in bringing forward the obscure and the humble—recommend men for their talent alone, and I will employ them!
15
二月，乙巳朔，日有食之。
In the second month, on the first day (yisi), there was a solar eclipse.
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冬，曹操作銅爵台於鄴。
In winter, Cao Cao built the Bronze Bird Terrace at Ye.
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十二月，己亥，操下令曰：「孤始舉孝廉，自以本非巖穴知名之士，恐為世人之所凡愚，欲好作政教以立名譽，故在濟南，除殘去穢，平心選舉。 以是為強豪所忿，恐致家禍，故以病還鄉里。 時年紀尚少，乃於譙東五十里築精舍，欲秋夏讀書，冬春射獵，為二十年規，待天下清乃出仕耳。 然不能得如意，徵為典軍校尉，意遂更欲為國家討賊立功，使題墓道言『漢故征西將軍曹侯之墓』，此其志也。 而遭值董卓之難，興舉義兵。 後領兗州，破降黃巾三十萬眾； 又討擊袁術，使窮沮而死； 摧破袁紹，梟其二子； 復定劉表，遂平天下。 身為宰相，人臣之貴已極，意望已過矣。 設使國家無有孤，不知當幾人稱帝，幾人稱王！ 或者人見孤強盛，又性不信天命，恐妄相忖度，言有不遜之志，每用耿耿，故為諸君陳道此言，皆肝鬲之要也。 然欲孤便爾委捐所典兵眾以還執事，歸就武平侯國，實不可也。 何者？ 誠恐己離兵為人所禍，既為子孫計，又己敗則國家傾危，是以不得慕虛名而處實禍也！ 然兼封四縣，食戶三萬，何德堪之！ 江湖未靜，不可讓位； 至於邑土，可得而辭。 今上還陽夏、柘、苦三縣，戶二萬，但食武平萬戶，且以分損謗議，少減孤之責也！」
In the twelfth month, on the day jihai, Cao Cao issued an edict: "When I was first recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, I knew I was no famous recluse from mountain caves, and feared the world would judge me ordinary. I wished to excel in governance and instruction to build a reputation. In Ji'nan I eliminated the vicious and purged corruption, conducting elections with an even hand. For this the powerful clans hated me. Fearing disaster for my household, I resigned on grounds of illness and returned to my home district. I was still young then. Fifty li east of Qiao I built a study retreat, planning to read through summer and autumn and hunt through winter and spring—a twenty-year plan, waiting until the realm was pacified before taking office. But I could not have my way. Summoned as Colonel of the Palace Guard, my intent changed: I would strike rebels for the state and win merit, with my tomb inscription reading 'Tomb of Marquis Cao, Former General Who Subdues the West.' That was my ambition. Then came the calamity of Dong Zhuo, and I raised righteous troops. Later I took command of Yan province and broke and accepted the surrender of three hundred thousand Yellow Scarves; I attacked Yuan Shu and drove him to destitution and death; shattered Yuan Shao and took the heads of his two sons; restored order in Liu Biao's domain and thus pacified the empire. I have become chancellor; the honor due a subject has reached its limit, and my ambitions have already gone too far. If the state had never had me, who knows how many would have styled themselves emperor, how many would have styled themselves king! Some see my power and, because I do not trust in Heaven's Mandate, fear reckless speculation and speak of disloyal ambition. This troubles me constantly, so I lay this out for you—these are matters from the depths of my heart. Yet to have me simply cast away the troops I command, return to the central administration, and go back to my marquisate of Wuping—that truly cannot be done. Why? I truly fear that once I leave my army I would be harmed by others. For my descendants' sake, and because if I fail the state would totter—I cannot chase empty fame while sitting in real peril! Yet I hold four counties combined, with thirty thousand households—what virtue could deserve that! The realm is not yet pacified; I cannot yield my post; but as for fiefs, those I may refuse. Now I return to the court the three counties of Yangxia, Zhe, and Ku—twenty thousand households—and keep only the ten thousand households of Wuping, thereby sharing out criticism and somewhat lessening my burden."
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劉表故吏士多歸劉備，備以周瑜所給地少，不足以容其眾，乃自詣京見孫權，求都督荊州。 瑜上疏於權曰：「劉備以梟雄之姿，而有關羽、張飛熊虎之將，必非久屈為人用者。 愚謂大計宜徙備置吳，盛為築宮室，多其美女玩好，以娛其耳目； 分此二人各置一方，使如瑜者得挾與攻戰，大事可定也。 今猥割土地以資業之，聚此三人俱在疆場，恐蛟龍得雲雨，終非池中物也。」 呂范亦勸留之。 權以曹操在北，方當廣攬英雄，不從。 備還公安，久乃聞之，歎曰：「天下智謀之士，所見略同。 時孔明諫孤莫行，其意亦慮此也。 孤方危急，不得不往，此誠險塗，殆不免周瑜之手！」
Many of Liu Biao's former officials and gentry went over to Liu Bei. Finding the territory Zhou Yu had allotted too small for his following, Bei went in person to the capital to see Sun Quan and asked to be made Grand Protector of Jing province. Zhou Yu memorialized Sun Quan: "Liu Bei has the stature of a formidable hero, with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei as tiger-and-bear generals. He cannot long remain bent to serve another. I humbly believe the great plan is to move Liu Bei to Wu, build him a splendid palace, and give him many beauties and fine things to delight his eyes and ears; assign Guan Yu and Zhang Fei each to a separate post, and let commanders like myself lead them in battle—then the great affair can be settled. Now we rashly cede land to enrich him and gather all three on the frontier. I fear that once dragons gain cloud and rain, they will not long remain creatures of a pond." Lü Fan also urged that Liu Bei be detained. Sun Quan, with Cao Cao in the north and wishing to gather heroes broadly, did not agree. Liu Bei returned to Gong'an. Only long afterward did he hear of this and sigh: "The wise of the realm see much the same. At that time Kongming advised me not to go—his mind too feared this very thing. I was in desperate straits and had to go. It was truly a perilous road—I nearly fell into Zhou Yu's hands!"
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周瑜詣京見權曰：「今曹操新政，憂在腹心，未能與將軍連兵相事也。 乞與奮威俱進，取蜀而並張魯，因留奮威固守其地，與馬超結援，瑜還與將軍據襄陽以蹙操，北方可圖也。」 權許之。 奮威者，孫堅弟子奮威將軍、丹楊太守瑜也。 周瑜還江陵為行裝，於道病困，與權箋曰：「修短命矣，誠不足惜； 但恨微志未展，不復奉教命耳。 方今曹操在北，疆場未靜； 劉備寄寓，有似養虎。 天下之事，未知終始，此朝士旰食之秋，至尊垂慮之日也。 魯肅忠烈，臨事不苟，可以代瑜。 儻所言可采，瑜死不朽矣！」 卒於巴丘。 權聞之哀慟，曰：「公瑾有王佐之資，今忽短命，孤何賴哉！」 自迎其喪於蕪湖。 瑜有一女、二男，權為長子登娶其女； 以其男循為騎都尉，妻以女； 胤為興業都尉，妻以宗女。 初，瑜見友於孫策，太夫人又使權以兄奉之。 是時權位為將軍，諸將、賓客為禮尚簡，而瑜獨先盡敬，便執臣節。 程普頗以年長，數陵侮瑜，瑜折節下之，終不與校。 普後自敬服而親重之，乃告人曰：「與周公瑾交，若飲醇醪，不覺自醉。」
Zhou Yu went to the capital and said to Sun Quan: "Cao Cao has just established his new regime. His worries are at the core—he cannot yet join arms with you, General. I beg to advance with Fenyangwei, take Shu and absorb Zhang Lu, leave Fenyangwei to hold that territory and ally with Ma Chao. I will return with you, General, to hold Xiangyang and press Cao Cao—then the north can be taken." Sun Quan assented. Fenyangwei refers to Sun Yu, Sun Jian's nephew, General Who Displays Might and Grand Administrator of Danyang. Zhou Yu returned to Jiangling to prepare for the campaign. On the road he fell gravely ill and wrote to Sun Quan: "Xiu is short-lived indeed—truly not worth grieving; but I regret that my small ambitions were not fulfilled and I cannot again receive your commands. Cao Cao is in the north and the frontier is not yet quiet; Liu Bei is lodged here like feeding a tiger. The affairs of the realm have no known end. This is the season when courtiers skip their meals at dawn, when Your Majesty bends in care day after day. Lu Su is loyal and stern, never lax in affairs—he can replace me. If what I say may be adopted, my death will not be in vain!" He died at Baling. When Sun Quan heard, he grieved deeply and said: "Gongjin had the talent to aid a king—now suddenly cut short—on whom can I rely!" He went in person to meet the funeral cortege at Wuhu. Zhou Yu had one daughter and two sons. Sun Quan had his eldest son Deng marry the daughter; He appointed his son Xun Colonel of Cavalry and gave him a daughter in marriage; Yin was made Grand Commandant of Xingye, and a clanswoman of Sun Quan's house was given him in marriage. Earlier, Zhou Yu had been close friends with Sun Ce, and the Grand Lady Mother had also instructed Sun Quan to treat him as he would an elder brother. At that time Sun Quan held the rank of general. The other generals and guests kept their courtesies rather informal, but Zhou Yu alone was foremost in full respect and at once performed the rites due a subject. Cheng Pu, relying on his greater age, several times insulted and bullied Zhou Yu. Yu bent his will and humbled himself before Pu, and in the end never contended with him. Later Cheng Pu came of his own accord to respect and esteem him, and told others: "To associate with Gongjin Zhou is like drinking fine wine—you do not notice until you are drunk."
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權以魯肅為奮武校尉，代瑜領兵，令程普領南郡太守。 魯肅勸權以荊州借劉備，與共拒曹操，權從之。 乃分豫章為番陽郡，分長沙為漢昌郡； 復以程普領江夏太守，魯肅為漢昌太守，屯陸口。
Sun Quan made Lu Su Colonel Who Displays Martial Might to replace Zhou Yu in command of troops, and had Cheng Pu serve as Grand Administrator of Nan commandery. Lu Su urged Sun Quan to lend Jing province to Liu Bei and join with him in resisting Cao Cao. Sun Quan followed this advice. He then divided Yuzhang to form Poyang commandery and divided Changsha to form Hanchang commandery; again he had Cheng Pu serve as Grand Administrator of Jiangxia and Lu Su as Grand Administrator of Hanchang, stationed at Lukou.
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初，權謂呂蒙曰：「卿今當塗掌事，不可不學。」 蒙辭以軍中多務。 權曰：「孤豈欲卿治經為博士邪！ 但當涉獵，見往事耳。 卿言多務，孰若孤！ 孤常讀書，自以為大有所益。」 蒙乃始就學。 及魯肅過尋陽，與蒙論議，大驚曰：「卿今者才略，非復吳下阿蒙！」 蒙曰：「士別三日，即更刮目相待，大兄何見事之晚乎！」 肅遂拜蒙母，結友而別。
Earlier, Sun Quan said to Lü Meng: "You now hold power and manage affairs—you cannot fail to study." Lü Meng declined on the ground that military affairs kept him too busy. Sun Quan said: "Do I wish you to master the classics and become a Erudite! You need only browse broadly and learn from past events. You say you are busy—who is busier than I! I constantly read books and find them of great benefit." Lü Meng then began to study. When Lu Su passed through Xunyang and debated with Lü Meng, he was greatly startled and said: "Your talent and strategy today are no longer the A Meng of Wu below!" Lü Meng said: "When a scholar has been apart three days, he must be viewed with fresh eyes—why are you so late in seeing this, elder brother!" Lu Su then bowed to Lü Meng's mother, formed a bond of friendship, and took his leave.
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劉備以從事龐統守耒陽令，在縣不治，免官。 魯肅遺備書曰：「龐士元非百里才也。 使處治中、別駕之任，始當展其驥足耳！」 諸葛亮亦言之。 備見統，與善譚，大器之，遂用統為治中，親待亞於諸葛亮，與亮並為軍師中郎將。
Liu Bei had his aide Pang Tong serve as magistrate of Leiyang. In the county he did not govern well and was dismissed from office. Lu Su wrote to Liu Bei: "Pang Shiyuan is not talent fit for a hundred-li district. If placed in the posts of Registrar or Vice-Director, only then would he fully extend the hooves of his thoroughbred!" Zhuge Liang also spoke on his behalf. When Liu Bei met Pang Tong he conversed well with him and greatly valued his capacity. He then employed Tong as Registrar, treating him with intimacy second only to Zhuge Liang. Tong and Liang both served as Military Adviser Gentlemen of the Household.
23
初，蒼梧士燮為交趾太守。 交州刺史朱符為夷賊所殺，州郡擾亂，燮表其弟壹領合浦太守，䵋領九真太守，武領南海太守。 燮體器寬厚，中國人士多往依之。 雄長一州，偏在萬里，威尊無上，出入儀衛甚盛，震服百蠻。 朝廷遣南陽張津為交州刺史。 津好鬼神事，常著絳帕頭，鼓琴、燒香，讀道書，云可以助化，為其將區景所殺。 劉表遣零陵賴恭代津為刺史。 是時蒼梧太守史璜死，表又遣吳巨代之。 朝廷賜燮璽書，以燮為綏南中郎將，董督七郡，領交趾太守如故。 後巨與恭相失，巨舉兵逐恭，恭走還零陵。 孫權以番陽太守臨淮步騭為交州刺史，士燮率兄弟奉承節度。 吳巨外附內違，騭誘而斬之，威聲大震。 權加燮左將軍，燮遣子入質。 由是嶺南始服屬於權。
Earlier, Shi Xie of Cangwu served as Grand Administrator of Jiaozhi. The Inspector of Jiao Zhu Fu was killed by barbarian bandits, and the province and commanderies fell into turmoil. Xie memorialized that his younger brother Yi should hold Hepu, You Jiuzhen, and Wu Nanhai. Shi Xie's bearing was generous and magnanimous, and many men of the central lands went to rely on him. Dominant over a whole province, remote ten thousand li away, his authority supreme, his guards and escort exceedingly grand—he awed and submitted the hundred barbarian peoples. The court sent Zhang Jin of Nanyang as Inspector of Jiao. Jin was fond of spirit matters. He constantly wore a crimson headcloth, played the zither, burned incense, and read Daoist books, saying these could aid transformation. He was killed by his general Qu Jing. Liu Biao sent Lai Gong of Lingling to replace Jin as inspector. At that time the Grand Administrator of Cangwu Shi Huang died. Liu Biao also sent Wu Ju to replace him. The court bestowed on Shi Xie an imperial letter with the seal, making him General Who Pacifies the South and Superintendent of seven commanderies, holding the post of Grand Administrator of Jiaozhi as before. Later Wu Ju and Lai Gong fell out. Ju raised troops and drove Gong away, and Gong fled back to Lingling. Sun Quan made Bu Zhi of Linhuai, Grand Administrator of Poyang, Inspector of Jiao. Shi Xie and his brothers led their following to accept his authority. Wu Ju was outwardly submissive but inwardly rebellious. Bu Zhi lured and executed him, and his prestige shook the region greatly. Sun Quan promoted Shi Xie to General of the Left, and Xie sent his son as hostage. From this the lands south of the ranges first submitted to Sun Quan's rule.
24
孝獻皇帝辛建安十六年（ 辛卯，公元二一一年）
Emperor Xian of Han, sixteenth year of Jian'an ( xinmao, AD 211)
25
春，正月，以曹操世子丕為五官中郎將，置官屬，為丞相副。
In spring, during the first month, Cao Cao's heir Pi was made General of the Five Offices and given staff, serving as the chancellor's deputy.
26
三月，操遣司隸校尉鐘繇討張魯，使征西護軍夏侯淵等將兵出河東，與繇會。 倉曹屬高柔諫曰：「大兵西出，韓遂、馬超疑為襲己，必相扇動。 宜先招集三輔，三輔苟平，漢中可傳檄而定也。」 操不從。 關中諸將果疑之，馬超、韓遂、侯選、程銀、楊秋、李堪、張橫、梁興、成宜、馬玩等十部皆反，其眾十萬，屯據潼關； 操遺安西將軍曹仁督諸將拒之，敕令堅壁勿與戰。 命五官將丕留守鄴，以奮武將軍程昱參丕軍事，門下督廣陵徐宣為左護軍，留統諸軍，樂安國淵為居府長史，統留事。
In the third month, Cao Cao sent Minister of Works Zhong Yao to attack Zhang Lu and had the Protector of the West Xiahou Yuan and others lead troops out of Hedong to join Yao. Gao Rou, an aide in the Granaries Bureau, remonstrated: "When a great army marches west, Han Sui and Ma Chao will suspect it is aimed at them and are sure to stir each other up. You should first win over the Three Adjuncts. If the Three Adjuncts are pacified, Hanzhong can be secured by proclamation alone." Cao Cao did not follow this advice. The generals of Guanzhong indeed became suspicious. Ma Chao, Han Sui, Hou Xuan, Cheng Yin, Yang Qiu, Li Kan, Zhang Heng, Liang Xing, Cheng Yi, Ma Wan, and ten divisions all rebelled. Their forces numbered one hundred thousand and encamped at Tong Pass; Cao Cao sent the Pacifying West General Cao Ren to supervise the generals in resisting them and ordered them to hold their walls and not give battle. He had the General of the Five Offices Pi remain at Ye, with the Martially Resolute General Cheng Yu assisting Pi in military affairs; the Gate Attendant Xu Xuan of Guangling as Left Protector of the Army, remaining to command all forces; and Yue An of Guo as Director of the Residence, managing remaining affairs.
27
秋，七月，操自將擊超等。 議者多言：「關西兵習長矛，非精選前鋒，不可當也。」 操曰：「戰在我，非在賊也。 賊雖習長矛，將使不得以刺，諸君但觀之。」
In autumn, during the seventh month, Cao Cao personally led the attack on Ma Chao and the others. Those who deliberated mostly said: "The soldiers of Guanxi are skilled with long spears. Unless the vanguard is carefully chosen, they cannot be withstood." Cao Cao said: "Victory in battle lies with me, not with the enemy. Though the enemy is skilled with long spears, I will make them unable to thrust—just watch."
28
八月，操至潼關，與超等夾關而軍。 操急持之，而潛遣徐晃、朱靈以步騎四千人渡浦阪津，據河西為營。 閏月，操自潼關北渡河。 兵眾先渡，操獨與虎士百餘人留南岸斷後。 馬超將步騎萬餘人攻之，矢下如雨，操猶據胡床不動。 許褚扶操上船，船工中流矢死，褚左手舉馬鞍以蔽操，右手刺船。 校尉丁斐，放牛馬以餌賊，賊亂取牛馬，操乃得渡。 遂自蒲阪渡西河，循河為甬道而南。 超等退拒渭口，操乃多設疑兵，潛以舟載兵入渭，為浮橋，夜，分兵結營於渭南。 超等夜攻營，伏兵擊破之。 超等屯渭南，遣信求割河以西請和，操不許。 九月，操進軍，悉渡渭。 超等數挑戰，又不許； 固請割地，求送任子。 賈詡以為可偽許之。 操復問計策，詡曰：「離之而已。」 操曰：「解！」 韓遂請與操相見，操與遂有舊，於是交馬語移時，不及軍事，但說京都舊故，拊手歡笑。 時秦、胡觀者，前後重沓，操笑謂之曰：「爾欲觀曹公邪！ 亦猶人也，非有四目兩口，但多智耳！」 既罷，超等問遂：「公何言！」 遂曰：「無所言也。」 超等疑之。 他日，操又與遂書，多所點竄，如遂改定者； 超等愈疑遂。 操乃與剋日會戰，先以輕兵挑之，戰良久，乃縱虎騎夾擊，大破之，斬成宜、李堪等。 遂、超奔涼州，楊秋奔安定。
In the eighth month, Cao Cao reached Tong Pass and faced Ma Chao and the others across the pass in camp. Cao Cao held them in check while secretly sending Xu Huang and Zhu Ling with four thousand infantry and cavalry to cross Puban Ford and encamp on the west bank of the river. In the intercalary month, Cao Cao crossed the river north from Tong Pass. The troops crossed first. Cao Cao alone, with a hundred-odd Tiger Guards, remained on the south bank as rearguard. Ma Chao led more than ten thousand infantry and cavalry to attack. Arrows fell like rain, yet Cao Cao still sat on his folding camp-chair without moving. Xu Chu helped Cao Cao aboard the boat. The boatman was killed midstream by an arrow. Chu raised a saddle with his left hand to shield Cao and stabbed the boat forward with his right hand. Colonel Ding Fei released cattle and horses to bait the enemy. The enemy in disorder seized the cattle and horses, and Cao Cao was then able to cross. He then crossed from Puban to the west bank of the Yellow River and followed the river south along a covered military road. Ma Chao and the others retreated to hold the mouth of the Wei. Cao Cao set up many dummy forces and secretly ferried troops into the Wei by boat, building a floating bridge. By night he divided troops and encamped south of Weinan. Ma Chao and the others attacked the camp by night. Ambush troops struck and defeated them. Ma Chao and the others encamped at Weinan and sent envoys asking to cede the lands west of the river and sue for peace. Cao Cao would not agree. In the ninth month, Cao Cao advanced his army and crossed the Wei in full. Ma Chao and the others repeatedly challenged to battle, and he would not allow it; they firmly asked to cede territory and offered to send hostages. Jia Xu thought they could be falsely promised. Cao Cao again asked for stratagems. Xu said: "Simply divide them." Cao Cao said: "Understood!" Han Sui asked to meet with Cao Cao. Cao and Sui had old ties, and so they exchanged horses and spoke for a long while, not touching on military affairs but only recalling old affairs of the capital, clapping hands and laughing. At that time Qin and Hu onlookers stood layer upon layer before and behind. Cao Cao laughed and said to them: "Do you wish to see Lord Cao! He too is a man, without four eyes and two mouths—only more wisdom!" When it ended, Ma Chao and the others asked Sui: "What did he say!" Sui said: "Nothing was said." Ma Chao and the others grew suspicious of him. Another day, Cao Cao again wrote Sui a letter with many marks and alterations, as if Sui had revised it; Ma Chao and the others grew ever more suspicious of Sui. Cao Cao then joined battle on a set day. First he provoked them with light troops, and after fighting long he unleashed the Tiger Cavalry to strike from both sides, routing them greatly and beheading Cheng Yi, Li Kan, and others. Han Sui and Ma Chao fled to Liang province. Yang Qiu fled to Anding.
29
諸將問操曰：「初，賊守潼關，渭北道缺，不從河東擊馮翊而反守潼關，引日而後北渡，何也？」 操曰：「賊守潼關，若吾入河東，賊必引守諸津，則西河未可渡，吾故盛兵向潼關； 賊悉眾南守，西河之備虛，故二將得擅取西河； 然後引軍北渡。 賊不能與吾爭西河者，以二將之軍也。 連車樹柵，為甬道而南，既為不可勝，且以示弱。 渡渭為堅壘，虜至不出，所以驕之也； 故賊不為營壘而求割地。 吾順言許之，所以從其意，使自安而不為備，因畜士卒之力，一旦擊之，所謂疾雷不及掩耳。 兵之變化，固非一道也。」
The generals asked Cao Cao: "At first the enemy held Tong Pass and the road north of the Wei was cut off. Why did you not attack Fengyi from Hedong but instead held Tong Pass, drawing out days before crossing north—why?" Cao Cao said: "The enemy held Tong Pass. If I entered Hedong, the enemy would surely draw troops to guard every ford, and then the west bank could not be crossed. I therefore massed troops toward Tong Pass; the enemy mustered all their forces to guard south, and the west-bank defenses were empty—therefore the two generals could seize the west bank at will; then I led the army north across. The reason the enemy could not contend with me for the west bank was because of the army of those two generals. Linking wagons and planting palisades, building the covered road south—this was both to make us unconquerable and to show weakness. Crossing the Wei we built stout ramparts. When the barbarians came we did not sally forth—this was to make them arrogant; therefore the enemy did not build ramparts but sought to cede land. I agreed in words to promise them—this was to follow their intent, let them grow secure and make no preparations, while storing up the strength of the troops. Then in one strike—what is called thunder too swift for the ear to cover. The transformations of warfare are certainly not of one pattern alone."
30
始，關中諸將每一部到，操輒有喜色。 諸將問其故，操曰：「關中長遠，若賊各依險阻，征之，不一二年不可定也。 今皆來集，其眾雖多，莫相歸服，軍無適主，一舉可滅，為功差易，吾是以喜。」
At the start, whenever one division of the Guanzhong generals arrived, Cao Cao would show pleasure. The generals asked the reason. Cao said: "Guanzhong is far and broad. If the enemy each relied on perilous terrain, to campaign against them would take no less than a year or two to settle. Now they have all come together. Though their numbers are many, none defer to another as leader—the army has no proper commander. One stroke can destroy them. The achievement is rather easier. That is why I am pleased."
31
冬，十月，操自長安北征楊秋，圍安定。 秋降，復其爵位，使留撫其民。
In winter, during the tenth month, Cao Cao marched north from Chang'an to campaign against Yang Qiu and besieged Anding. Qiu surrendered. Cao Cao restored his noble rank and fief and had him remain to pacify his people.
32
十二月，操自安定還，留夏侯淵屯長安。 以議郎張既為京兆尹。 既招懷流民，興復縣邑，百姓懷之。 遂、超之叛也，弘農、馮翊縣邑多應之，河東民獨無異心。 操與超等夾渭為軍，軍食一仰河東。 及超等破，餘畜尚二十餘萬斛，操乃增河東太守杜畿秩中二千石。
In the twelfth month, Cao Cao returned from Anding and left Xiahou Yuan stationed at Chang'an. Cao Cao appointed Zhang Ji, an Imperial Counsellor, as Governor of Jingzhao. Zhang Ji summoned and comforted displaced people, restored the counties and towns, and the people came to love him. When Han Sui and Ma Chao rebelled, many counties and towns in Hongnong and Fufeng joined them, but the people of Hedong alone showed no disloyalty. Cao Cao and Ma Chao and the others encamped on opposite banks of the Wei River, and all military provisions came from Hedong. After Ma Chao and the others were defeated, more than two hundred thousand hu of grain remained in storage, and Cao Cao promoted Hedong Administrator Du Ji to the rank of middle two thousand shi.
33
扶風法正為劉璋軍議校尉，璋不能用，又為其州裡俱僑客者所鄙，正邑邑不得志。 益州別駕張松與正善，自負其才，忖璋不足與有為，常竊歎息。 松勸璋結劉備，璋曰：「誰可使者？」 松乃舉正。 璋使正往，正辭謝，佯為不得已而行。 還，為松說備有雄略，密謀奉戴以為州主。 會曹操遣鐘繇向漢中，璋聞之，內懷恐懼。 松因說璋曰：「曹公兵無敵於天下，若因張魯之資以取蜀土，誰能御之！ 劉豫州，使君之宗室而曹公之深仇也，善用兵。 若使之討魯，魯必破矣。 魯破，則益州強，曹公雖來，無能為也。 今州中諸將龐羲、李異等，皆恃功驕豪，欲有外意。 不得豫州，則敵攻其外，民攻其內，必敗之道也。」 璋然之，遣法正將四千人迎備。 主簿巴西黃權諫曰：「劉左將軍有驍名，今請到，欲以部曲遇之，則不滿其心； 欲以賓客禮待，則一國不容二君，若客有泰山之安，則主有累卵之危。 不若閉境以待時清。」 璋不聽，出權為廣漢長。 從事廣漢王累，自倒縣於州門以諫，璋一無所訥。
Fa Zheng of Fufeng served Liu Zhang as Military Adviser Colonel, but Liu Zhang failed to make use of him. He was also looked down on by fellow provincials who, like him, were outsiders in the province, and Fa Zheng grew frustrated and despondent. Zhang Song, Assistant Commissioner of Yizhou, was on good terms with Fa Zheng. Confident in his own abilities, he considered Liu Zhang incapable of great achievements and often sighed in private. Zhang Song urged Liu Zhang to ally with Liu Bei. Liu Zhang asked, "Who can be sent as envoy?" Zhang Song then recommended Fa Zheng. Liu Zhang sent Fa Zheng on the mission. Fa Zheng declined at first, then pretended to go only because he had no choice. When he returned, he told Zhang Song that Liu Bei possessed great strategic vision, and they secretly plotted to install him as ruler of the province. At that time Cao Cao sent Zhong Yao toward Hanzhong. When Liu Zhang heard of it, he was filled with fear. Zhang Song then urged Liu Zhang, saying, "Lord Cao's armies are unmatched in the realm. If he uses Zhang Lu's resources to seize the lands of Shu, who can stop him! Liu Bei, the Governor of Yu Province, is your clansman and Cao Cao's sworn enemy, and he is skilled in warfare. If you send him to attack Zhang Lu, Zhang Lu will surely be defeated. Once Zhang Lu is defeated, Yizhou will grow strong, and even if Lord Cao comes, he will be powerless. Many generals in the province, such as Pang Xi and Li Yi, have grown arrogant over their achievements and are looking to break away. Without Liu Bei, you will face enemies without and rebellion within — a path to certain defeat." Liu Zhang agreed and sent Fa Zheng with four thousand men to welcome Liu Bei. Huang Quan, Chief Clerk of Baxi, remonstrated, saying, "General Liu of the Left enjoys a formidable reputation. Now that you have invited him here, if you treat him as a subordinate commander, you will not win his loyalty; but if you receive him as an honored guest, one state cannot hold two rulers. If the guest enjoys the security of Mount Tai, the host will face the peril of eggs stacked atop one another. Better to seal the borders and wait until the realm is at peace." Liu Zhang refused to listen and reassigned Huang Quan to be Prefect of Guanghan. Wang Lei, an Attendant of Guanghan, hung himself upside down at the provincial gate to remonstrate, but Liu Zhang paid him no attention whatsoever.
34
法正至荊州，陰獻策於劉備曰：「以明將軍之英才，乘劉牧之之懦弱； 張松，州之股肱，響應於內； 以取益州，猶反掌也。」 備疑未決。 龐統言於備曰：「荊州荒殘，人物殫盡，東有孫車騎，北有曹操，難以得志。 今益州戶口百萬，土沃財富，誠得以為資，大業可成也！」 備曰：「今指與吾為水火者，曹操也。 操以急，吾以寬； 操以暴，吾以仁； 操以譎，吾以忠。 每與操反，事乃可成耳。 今以小利而失信義於天下，奈何？」 統曰：「亂離之時，固非一道所能定也。 且兼弱攻昧，逆取順守，古人所貴。 若事定之後，封以大國，何負於信！ 今日不取，終為人利耳。」 備以為然。 乃留諸葛亮、關羽等守荊州，以趙雲領留營司馬，備將步卒數萬人入益州。 孫權聞備西上，遣舟船迎妹，而夫人欲將備子禪還吳，張飛、趙雲勒兵截江，乃得禪還。
When Fa Zheng reached Jingzhou, he secretly presented a plan to Liu Bei, saying, "With your brilliant talents, General, and Liu Zhang's weakness to exploit, with Zhang Song, the province's trusted pillar, responding from within, seizing Yizhou would be as easy as turning over your hand." Liu Bei hesitated and could not decide. Pang Tong said to Liu Bei, "Jingzhou is devastated and its people exhausted. Sun Quan, the General of Chariots and Cavalry, lies to the east and Cao Cao to the north. It will be hard to achieve your ambition here. Yizhou now has a million households, fertile land, and vast wealth. If you can truly make it your base, you can fulfill your great enterprise!" Liu Bei said, "The man I count as my mortal enemy is Cao Cao. He is harsh; I am lenient. He is cruel; I am humane. He is deceitful; I am honest. Only by standing against Cao Cao at every turn can I hope to succeed. How can I sacrifice faith and righteousness throughout the realm for a small gain?" Pang Tong said, "In an age of chaos and upheaval, no single path can settle everything. Moreover, to annex the weak and strike the incapable, to seize by force and govern with righteousness — this is what the ancients valued. Once matters are settled, you can enfeoff him with a great domain. Where is the breach of faith in that? If you do not seize it now, someone else will benefit from it in the end." Liu Bei agreed. He left Zhuge Liang, Guan Yu, and others to guard Jingzhou, appointed Zhao Yun to command the rear camp, and led several tens of thousands of infantry into Yizhou. When Sun Quan heard that Liu Bei was marching west, he sent ships to fetch his sister. Lady Sun wished to take Liu Bei's son Liu Shan back to Wu, but Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun deployed troops and intercepted the river passage, securing the boy's return.
35
劉璋敕在所供奉備，備入境如歸，前後贈遺以巨億計。 備至巴郡，巴郡太守嚴顏拊心歎曰：「此所謂『獨坐窮山，放虎自衛』者也。」 備自江州北由墊江水詣涪。 璋率步騎三萬餘人，車乘帳幔，精光耀日，往會之。 張松令法正白備，便於會襲璋。 備曰：「此事不可倉猝！」 龐統曰：「今因會執之，則將軍無用兵之勞而坐定一州也。」 備曰：「初入他國，恩信未著，此不可也。」 璋推備行大司馬，領司隸校尉； 備亦推璋行鎮西大將軍，領益州牧。 所將將士，更相之適，歡飲百餘日。 璋增備兵，厚加資給，使擊張魯，又令督白水軍。 備並軍三萬餘人，車甲、器械、資貨甚盛。 璋還成教，備北到葭萌，未即討魯，厚樹恩德以收眾心。
Liu Zhang ordered that Liu Bei be provisioned wherever he went. Liu Bei entered the province as if returning home, and gifts amounting to hundreds of millions were lavished upon him. When Liu Bei reached Bajiun, its prefect Yan Yan beat his breast and sighed, "This is what people call 'sitting alone on a desolate mountain and letting loose a tiger to guard yourself.' Liu Bei traveled north from Jiangzhou along the Dian River to Fu. Liu Zhang led more than thirty thousand infantry and cavalry, with chariots, tents, and banners gleaming in the sun, to meet him. Zhang Song had Fa Zheng tell Liu Bei to seize Liu Zhang at the meeting. Liu Bei said, "This cannot be done in haste!" Pang Tong said, "If you seize him at this meeting, General, you can secure an entire province without the hardship of campaigning." Liu Bei said, "I have only just entered another man's territory, and my goodwill is not yet established. This cannot be done." Liu Zhang had Liu Bei act as Grand Marshal and serve as Colonel Director of Retainers; Liu Bei in turn had Liu Zhang act as Great General Who Pacifies the West and serve as Governor of Yizhou. Their officers and men visited one another in turn and feasted together for more than a hundred days. Liu Zhang reinforced Liu Bei's troops, supplied him generously, and sent him to attack Zhang Lu, also assigning him to command the White Water garrison. Liu Bei's combined force numbered more than thirty thousand men, with chariots, armor, weapons, and supplies in great abundance. Liu Zhang returned to Chengdu. Liu Bei marched north to Jiameng but did not immediately attack Zhang Lu, instead cultivating goodwill to win over the people.
36
孝獻皇帝辛建安十七年（ 壬辰，公元二一二年）
Emperor Xian of Han, seventeenth year of Jian'an ( the day rensi, AD 212)
37
春，正月，曹操還鄴。 詔操贊拜不名，入朝不趨，劍履上殿，如蕭何故事。
In spring, during the first month, Cao Cao returned to Ye. An edict granted Cao Cao the privileges of having his name spoken in abbreviated form at court, entering audience without hurrying, and wearing sword and shoes in the imperial hall, following the precedent set for Xiao He.
38
操之西征也，河間民田銀、蘇伯反，扇動幽、冀。 五官將丕欲自討之，功曹常林曰：「北方吏民，樂安厭亂，服化已久，守善者多； 銀、伯犬羊相聚，不能為害。 方今大軍在遠，外有強敵，將軍為天下之鎮，輕運遠舉，雖克不武。」 乃遣將軍賈信討之，應時克滅。 餘賊千餘人請降，議者皆曰：「公有舊法，圍而後降者不赦。」 程昱曰：「此乃擾攘之際，權時之宜。 今天下略定，不可誅之； 縱誅之，宜先啟聞。」 議者皆曰：「軍事有專無請。」 昱曰：「凡專命者，謂有臨時之急耳。 今此賊制在賈信之手，故老臣不願將軍行之也。」 丕曰：「善。」 即白操，操果不誅。 既而聞昱之謀，甚悅，曰：「君非徒明於軍計，又善處人父子之間。」 故事：破賊文書，以一為十。 國淵上首級，皆如其實數，操問其故，淵曰：「夫征討外寇，多其斬獲之數者，欲以大武功，聳民聽也。 河間在封域之內，銀等叛逆，雖克捷有功，淵竊恥之。」 操大悅。
During Cao Cao's western campaign, Tian Yin and Su Bo of Hejian rebelled and stirred up trouble in You and Ji provinces. Pi, the General of the Five Offices, wished to lead the campaign himself. Chang Lin, the Records Officer, said, "The officials and people of the north delight in peace and loathe disorder. They have been civilized for a long time, and most abide by the law; Yin and Bo are a rabble scarcely better than dogs and sheep. They cannot do much harm. The main army is far away, and strong enemies remain abroad. You, General, are the anchor of the realm. To make a distant expedition on a whim would be imprudent even if you won." So he sent General Jia Xin to suppress them, and the rebels were destroyed at once. More than a thousand surviving rebels asked to surrender. The advisers all said, "My lord has an old rule: those who surrender only after being surrounded are not to be spared." Cheng Yu said, "That rule was meant for turbulent times — a provisional expedient. Now the realm is largely pacified. They must not be executed. Even if they were to be executed, you should first report to Lord Cao and obtain his approval." The advisers replied, "In military affairs one has sole authority and need not ask permission." Cheng Yu said, "Sole authority applies only when urgent circumstances leave no time to ask. These rebels are now in Jia Xin's hands. That is why I, an old minister, would rather you not carry out the executions yourself, General." Pi said, "Well said." He reported to Cao Cao at once, and Cao Cao indeed did not execute them. When Cao Cao later heard of Cheng Yu's advice, he was greatly pleased and said, "You understand military strategy, and you also know how to handle matters between a father and his son." By custom, reports of defeating bandits inflated the count tenfold. Guo Yuan reported head counts that matched the actual numbers. When Cao Cao asked why, Guo Yuan said, "When campaigning against foreign enemies, inflating the number of kills is meant to magnify military achievement and impress the people. Hejian lies within our own territory. When Yin and the others rebelled, victory brought little honor. I would be ashamed to inflate the count." Cao Cao was greatly pleased.
39
夏，五月，癸未，誅衛尉馬騰，夷三族。
In summer, in the fifth month, on the day guiwei, Ma Teng, Commandant of the Guards, was executed and his clan exterminated to the third degree.
40
六月，庚寅晦，日有食之。 秋，七月，螟。
In the sixth month, on the last day of the gengyin cycle, there was a solar eclipse. In autumn, during the seventh month, locust larvae ravaged the crops.
41
馬超等餘眾頓藍田，夏侯淵擊平之。
The remaining followers of Ma Chao and others were encamped at Lantian. Xiahou Yuan attacked and pacified them.
42
鄜賊梁興寇略馮翊，諸縣恐懼，皆寄治郡下，議者以為當移就險阻。 左馮翊鄭渾曰：「興等破散，藏竄山谷，雖有隨者，率脅從耳。 今當廣開降路，宣喻威信。 而保險自守，此示弱也。」 乃聚吏民，治城郭，為守備，募民逐賊，得其財物婦女，十以七賞。 民大悅，皆願捕賊； 賊之失妻子者皆還，求降，渾責其得他婦女，然後還之。 於是轉相寇盜，黨與離散。 又遣吏民有恩信者分佈山谷告諭之，出者相繼。 乃使諸縣長吏各還本治，以安集之。 興等懼，將餘從聚鄜城。 操使夏侯淵助渾討之，遂斬興，餘黨悉平。 渾，泰之弟也。
The bandit Liang Xing of Fu raided Fufeng. Fearful, the counties all relocated their administrations to the commandery seat, and the advisers thought they should withdraw to defensible terrain. Zheng Hun, Left Administrator of Fufeng, said, "Xing and the others are broken and scattered, hiding in the mountains. Those who follow them are mostly coerced. We should now open wide the path to surrender and make our authority and good faith known. To hold defensible ground and hide behind walls would only show weakness." He gathered the officials and people, repaired the city walls, prepared defenses, and recruited civilians to hunt the bandits, granting them seven-tenths of any goods or captives seized. The people were greatly pleased and all volunteered to hunt the bandits. Bandits who had lost their wives and children came back seeking to surrender. Zheng Hun forced those who had taken other men's women to return them before he would accept their surrender. The bandits then began raiding one another, and their factions broke apart. He also sent trusted officials and civilians into the mountains to proclaim his message, and surrendering bandits emerged in steady succession. He then sent the county magistrates back to their original posts to reassure and resettle the people. Liang Xing and the others, now afraid, gathered their remaining followers at Fu city. Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to assist Zheng Hun in the campaign. Liang Xing was beheaded, and the remaining rebels were completely suppressed. Zheng Hun was the younger brother of Zheng Tai.
43
九月，庚戌，立皇子熙為濟陰王，懿為山陽王。 邈為濟北王，敦為東海王。
In the ninth month, on the day gengxu, Imperial Son Cao Xi was made King of Jiyin and Cao Yi King of Shanyang. Cao Miao was made King of Jibei and Cao Dun King of Donghai.
44
初，張紘以秣陵山川形勝，勸孫權以為治所； 及劉備東過秣陵，亦勸權居之。 權於是作石頭城，徙治秣陵，改末陵為建業。
Earlier, Zhang Hong urged Sun Quan to make Moling his capital on account of its superior terrain and natural defenses; When Liu Bei passed east through Moling, he too urged Sun Quan to make it his capital. Sun Quan then built Stone City, moved his capital to Moling, and renamed it Jianye.
45
呂蒙聞曹操欲東兵，說孫權夾濡須水口立塢。 諸將皆曰：「上岸擊賊，洗足入船，何用塢為！」 蒙曰：「兵有利鈍，戰無百勝，如有邂逅，敵步騎蹙人，不暇及水，其得入船乎？」 權曰：「善！」 遂作濡須塢。
When Lü Meng learned that Cao Cao planned to march east, he urged Sun Quan to build fortified camps on both banks of the Ruxu river mouth. The generals all said, "We go ashore to strike the enemy, wash our feet, and step back into our boats — what do we need a fort for!" Lü Meng replied, "Weapons have their advantages and disadvantages, and no battle is ever won with certainty. If we meet the enemy unexpectedly and their infantry and cavalry close in, we may not have time to reach the water — how then would we board our ships?" Sun Quan said, "Well said!" And so the Ruxu fort was built.
46
冬，十月，曹操東擊孫權。 董昭言於曹操曰：「自古以來，人臣匡世，未有今日之功； 有今日之功，未有久處人臣之勢者也。 今明公恥有慚德，樂保名節。 然處大臣之勢，使人以大事疑己，誠不可不重慮也。」 乃與列侯諸將議，以丞相宜進爵國公，九錫備物，以彰殊勳。 荀彧以為：「曹公本興義兵以匡朝寧國，秉忠貞之誠，守退讓之實。 君子愛人以德，不宜如此。」 操由是不悅。 及擊孫權，表請彧勞軍於譙，因輒留彧，以侍中、光祿大夫、持節、參丞相軍事。 操軍向濡須，彧以疾留壽春，飲藥而卒。 彧行義修整而有智謀，好推賢進士，故時人皆惜之。
In winter, in the tenth month, Cao Cao marched east to attack Sun Quan. Dong Zhao said to Cao Cao, "Since antiquity, no minister who steered the age through crisis has ever achieved what you have today; yet to hold such achievements while remaining indefinitely in the position of a subject — that has never happened. You are ashamed of seeming overambitious and wish to preserve your reputation and integrity. Yet occupying such a powerful position invites suspicion over your ultimate intentions — this is something you must weigh carefully indeed." Dong Zhao then consulted with the marquises and generals, proposing that the Chancellor be elevated to Duke of a state and granted the full nine insignia of honor to celebrate his extraordinary achievements. Xun Yu objected, "Lord Cao originally raised righteous troops to restore the dynasty and pacify the realm, holding fast to loyal devotion and the virtue of restraint. A gentleman honors others through virtue — such a move would be unworthy of him." Cao Cao was displeased. When Cao Cao marched against Sun Quan, he submitted a memorial asking Xun Yu to go to Qiao to encourage the troops, then kept him there, appointing him Palace Attendant, Grandee of Splendid Happiness, Bearer of the Staff of Authority, and participant in the Chancellor's military affairs. As Cao Cao's army marched toward Ruxu, Xun Yu remained at Shouchun on account of illness and died after drinking poison. Xun Yu was upright in conduct, gifted with wisdom and strategy, and devoted to recommending worthy men and advancing scholars — for this reason all who knew him mourned his death.
47
臣光曰：孔子之言仁也重矣，自子路、冉求、公西赤門人之高第，令尹子文、陳文子諸侯之賢大夫，皆不足以當之，而獨稱管仲之仁，豈非以其輔佐齊桓，大濟生民乎！ 齊桓之行若狗彘，管仲不羞而相之，其志蓋以非桓公則生民不可得而濟也，漢末大亂，群生塗炭，自非高世之才不能濟也。 然則荀彧捨魏武將誰事哉！ 齊桓之時，周室雖衰，未若建安之初也。 建安之初，四海蕩覆，尺土一民，皆非漢有。 荀彧佐魏武而興之，舉賢用能，訓卒厲兵，決機發策，征伐四克，遂能以弱為強，化亂為治，十分天下而有其八，其功豈在管仲之後乎！ 管仲不死子糾而荀彧死漢室，其仁復居管仲之先矣！ 而杜牧乃以為「彧之勸魏武取兗州則比之高、光，官渡不令還許則比之楚、漢，及事就功畢，乃欲邀名於漢代，譬之教盜穴牆發匱而不與同挈，得不為盜乎？」 臣以為孔子稱「文勝質則史」，凡為史者記人之言，必有以文之。 然則比魏武於高、光、楚、漢者，史氏之文也，豈皆彧口所言邪！ 用是貶彧，非其罪矣。 且使魏武為帝，則彧為佐命元功，與蕭何同賞矣； 彧不利此而利於殺身以邀名，豈人情乎！
Sima Guang comments: Confucius weighed the word "benevolence" heavily indeed. None of his foremost disciples — Zilu, Ran Qiu, and Gongxichi — nor worthy ministers of the feudal lords, such as Chief Minister Ziwen and Minister Chen Wenzi, was deemed worthy of that praise. Yet Confucius singled out Guan Zhong as benevolent — surely because Guan Zhong served Duke Huan of Qi and brought great relief to the people! Duke Huan of Qi's conduct was debased as a dog's or a pig's, yet Guan Zhong felt no shame in serving as his chancellor — because he understood that without Duke Huan, the people could not be saved. At the end of the Han dynasty came cataclysmic disorder, and the people suffered as though treading through fire. Only talent of the highest order could deliver them. In that case, if Xun Yu had abandoned Cao Cao, whom else could he have served? In Duke Huan's day, though the House of Zhou had waned, the realm had not yet fallen as far as it had at the start of the Jian'an era. At the beginning of Jian'an, the realm was utterly overturned — not a foot of land nor a single subject truly remained the Han dynasty's. Xun Yu assisted Cao Cao and helped him rise to power. He raised worthy men and employed the capable, trained armies and sharpened weapons, devised strategy and directed campaigns, and conquered on every front — transforming weakness into strength and chaos into order until eight tenths of the empire lay in Cao Cao's hands. His achievements were surely no less than Guan Zhong's! Guan Zhong did not die for Prince Jiu, yet Xun Yu gave his life for the House of Han — in benevolence he even surpassed Guan Zhong! Yet Du Mu argued that when Xun Yu urged Cao Cao to seize Yan Province, historians compared him to Emperor Gao and Emperor Guangwu; at Guandu, when he prevented Cao Cao from returning to Xu, they compared the struggle to that of Chu and Han — yet once the enterprise was complete, Xun Yu sought to reclaim a reputation as a loyal servant of Han. This, Du Mu said, was like teaching a thief to break through a wall and raid a chest but refusing to share in carrying off the loot — could such a man be called anything but a thief?" Sima Guang replies: Confucius said, "When literary polish exceeds substance, one becomes a mere chronicler." Historians who record men's words invariably dress them in literary ornament. The comparisons of Cao Cao to Emperor Gao, Emperor Guangwu, and the contest of Chu and Han are the historian's literary embellishments — they cannot all have been Xun Yu's own words! To denigrate Xun Yu on this basis is to blame him for a crime he did not commit. Moreover, had Cao Cao become emperor, Xun Yu would have been honored as a founding minister of the new dynasty, rewarded equally with Xiao He; Xun Yu would have gained far more from that path than from dying to win a posthumous reputation — such conduct would not accord with human nature!
48
十二月，有星孛於五諸侯。
In the twelfth month, a comet appeared in the asterism of the Five Feudal Lords.
49
劉備在葭萌，龐統言於備曰：「今陰選精兵，晝夜兼道，逕襲成都，劉璋既不武，又素無豫備，大軍卒至，一舉便定，此上計也。 楊懷、高沛，璋之名將，各杖強兵，據守關頭，聞數有箋諫璋，使發遣將軍還荊州。 將軍遣與相聞，說荊州有急，欲還救之，並使裝束，外作歸形，此二子既服將軍英名，又喜將軍之去，計必乘輕騎來見將軍，因此執之，進取其兵，乃向成都，此中計也。 退還白帝，連引荊州，徐還圖之，此下計也。 若沉吟下去，將致大困，不可久矣。」 備然其中計。 及曹操攻孫權，權呼備自救。 備貽璋書曰：「孫氏與孤本為脣齒，而關羽兵弱，今不往救，則曹操必取荊州，轉侵州界，其憂甚於張魯。 魯自守之賊，不足慮也。」 因求益萬兵及資糧，璋但許兵四千，其餘皆給半。 備因激怒其眾曰：「吾為益州征強敵，師徒勤瘁，而積財吝賞，何以使士大夫死戰乎！」 張松書與備及法正曰：「今大事垂立，如何釋此去乎！」 松兄廣漢太宗肅，恐禍及己，因發其謀。 於是璋收斬松，敕關戍諸將文書皆勿復得與備關通。 備大怒，召璋白水軍督楊懷、高沛，責以無禮，斬之； 勒兵徑至關頭，並其兵，進據涪城。
Liu Bei was at Jiameng when Pang Tong said to him, "Secretly select elite troops and march day and night by forced marches to strike Chengdu directly. Liu Zhang is neither a warrior nor on guard against you. When your army arrives suddenly, the city will fall at a stroke — that is the best plan. Yang Huai and Gao Pei are Liu Zhang's finest generals. Each commands a strong force and holds the mountain passes. They have repeatedly urged Liu Zhang in writing to send you back to Jingzhou. Send word to them that Jingzhou is in urgent peril and you must return to its rescue, and have your troops pack for departure so that your withdrawal looks genuine. These two men admire your reputation and will be glad to see you go — they will surely ride out with a small escort to see you off. Seize them, take their troops, and march on Chengdu. That is the second plan. Withdraw to Baidi, link up with Jingzhou, and bide your time — that is the worst plan. If you hesitate and delay, you will soon be trapped in dire straits and cannot hold out much longer." Liu Bei approved the middle plan. When Cao Cao attacked Sun Quan, Sun Quan called on Liu Bei to come to his aid. Liu Bei wrote to Liu Zhang, saying, "The Sun clan and I are bound together like lip and teeth, yet Guan Yu's forces are weak. If I do not go to their rescue now, Cao Cao will surely seize Jingzhou and then turn to invade your borders — a far greater threat than Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu is merely a local rebel holding his own territory — he is not worth worrying over." He then asked for ten thousand more troops and additional supplies. Liu Zhang granted only four thousand troops and half of everything else requested. Liu Bei then roused his troops to anger, saying, "I fight powerful enemies on Yizhou's behalf while my army suffers hardship, yet Liu Zhang hoards his wealth and is miserly with rewards — how can he expect his officers and men to die for him!" Zhang Song wrote to Liu Bei and Fa Zheng, saying, "Our great enterprise is on the verge of success — how can you abandon it and leave!" Zhang Song's elder brother Zhang Su of Guanghan, fearing the plot would implicate him, exposed it. Liu Zhang then arrested and executed Zhang Song, and ordered the garrison commanders at the passes to cut off all communication with Liu Bei. Liu Bei was furious. He summoned Liu Zhang's supervisors of the Baishui garrison, Yang Huai and Gao Pei, rebuked them for their discourtesy, and executed them; then led his army straight to the passes, absorbed their troops, and advanced to occupy Fucheng.
50
孝獻皇帝辛建安十八年（ 癸巳，公元二一三年）
Emperor Xian of Han [xin], eighteenth year of Jian'an ( Guisi, AD 213)
51
春，正月，曹操進軍濡須口，號步騎四十萬，攻破孫權江西營，獲其都督公孫陽。 權率眾七萬御之，相守月餘。 操見其舟船器仗軍伍整肅，歎曰：「生子當如孫仲謀； 如劉景升兒子，豚犬耳！」 權為箋與操，說：「春水方生，公宜速去。」 別紙言：「足下不死，孤不得安。」 操語諸將曰：「孫權不欺孤。」 乃徹軍還。
In spring, in the first month, Cao Cao advanced to the Ruxu river mouth at the head of what he claimed were forty thousand infantry and cavalry. He broke through Sun Quan's camp west of the river and captured his commander Gongsun Yang. Sun Quan led seventy thousand men to resist him, and the two armies faced each other for more than a month. Cao Cao saw that Sun Quan's boats, weapons, and formations were disciplined and orderly, and sighed, "When one begets a son, let him be like Sun Zhongmou; not like Liu Jingsheng's sons — mere pigs and dogs!" Sun Quan sent Cao Cao a letter saying, "The spring floods are rising — you should withdraw at once." On a separate sheet he added, "So long as you do not die, I cannot rest easy." Cao Cao told his generals, "Sun Quan does not lie to me." He then withdrew his army and returned.
52
庚寅，詔並十四州，復為九州。
On the day Gengyin, an edict restored the former division of the empire into nine provinces, abolishing the fourteen-province system.
53
夏，四月，曹操至鄴。
In summer, in the fourth month, Cao Cao reached Ye.
54
初，曹操在譙，恐濱江郡縣為孫權所略，欲徙令近內，以問揚州別駕蔣濟，曰：「昔孤與袁本初對軍官渡，徙燕、白馬民，民不得走，賊亦不敢鈔。 今欲徙淮南民，何如？」 對曰：「是時兵弱賊強，不徙必失之。 自破袁紹以來，明公威震天下，民無他志，人情懷土，實不樂徙，懼必不安。」 操不從。 既而民轉相驚，自廬江、九江、蘄春、廣陵，戶十餘萬皆東流江，江西遂虛，合淝以南，惟有皖城。 濟後奉使詣鄴，操迎見，大笑曰：「本但欲使避賊，乃更驅盡之！」 拜濟丹楊太守。
Earlier, when Cao Cao was at Qiao, he feared that the riverine commanderies and counties would be plundered by Sun Quan and wished to relocate the people inland. He asked Yangzhou Vice-Director Jiang Ji, "When I faced Yuan Shao across the field at Guandu, I relocated the people of Yan and Baima. They could not flee, and the enemy did not dare raid them. Now I wish to relocate the people of Huainan — what do you think?" Jiang Ji replied, "At that time our forces were weak and the enemy strong — if we had not relocated those people, we would surely have lost them. Since you defeated Yuan Shao, your prestige has shaken the empire and the people have no wish to leave their homes. Men cling to the land where they were born — they will not willingly move, and I fear the relocation will only unsettle them." Cao Cao did not heed him. Before long panic spread among the people. From Lujiang, Jiujiang, Qichun, and Guangling, more than a hundred thousand households fled east across the Yangzi. The region west of the river was emptied, and south of Hefei only Wancheng remained. When Jiang Ji later went on mission to Ye, Cao Cao received him with a great laugh and said, "I only meant to help them escape the enemy — and instead I drove them all away!" He appointed Jiang Ji Administrator of Danyang.
55
五月，丙申，以冀州十郡封曹操為魏公，以丞相領冀州牧如故。 又加九錫：大輅、戎輅各一，玄牡二駟； 兗冕之服，赤舄副焉； 軒縣之樂，八佾之舞； 朱戶以居； 納陛以登； 虎賁之士三百人； 鈇、鉞各一； 彤弓一，彤矢百，玈弓十，玈矢千； 秬鬯一卣，珪、瓚副焉。
In the fifth month, on the day Bingshen, ten commanderies of Jizhou were enfeoffed to Cao Cao as Duke of Wei, while he continued to serve as Chancellor and Governor of Jizhou. He was also granted the nine insignia of honor: a great chariot and a war chariot; two teams of four black stallions; robes and cap embroidered with the nine emblems, with matching red slippers; the music of suspended bells and the dance of eight rows; vermilion gateposts for his residence; a ramp for ascending; three hundred tiger-guard warriors; one axe and one ceremonial battle-axe; one red bow, one hundred red arrows, ten black bows, and one thousand black arrows; one jar of black millet ale, with a jade scepter and libation cup to match.
56
大雨水。
Heavy rains fell.
57
益州從事廣漢鄭度聞劉備舉兵，謂劉璋曰：「左將軍懸軍襲我，兵不滿萬，士眾未附，軍無輜重，野谷是資。 其計莫若盡驅巴西、梓潼民內、涪水以西，其倉廩野谷，一皆燒除，高壘深溝，靜以待之。 彼至，請戰勿許。 久無所資，不過百日，必將自走，走而擊之，此必禽耳。」 劉備聞而惡之，以問法正。 正曰：「璋終不能用，無憂也。」 璋果謂其群下曰：「吾聞拒敵以安民，未聞動民以避敵也。」 不用度計。 璋遣其將劉瑰、冷苞、張任、鄧賢、吳懿等拒備，皆敗，退保綿竹； 懿詣軍降。 璋復遣護軍南陽李嚴、江夏費觀督綿竹諸軍，嚴、觀亦率其眾降於備。 備軍益強，分遣諸將平下屬縣。 劉瑰、張任與璋子循退守雒城，備進軍圍之。 任勒兵出戰於雁橋，軍敗，任死。
Zheng Du, an Attendant of Guanghan in Yizhou, hearing that Liu Bei had taken up arms, said to Liu Zhang, "General Liu of the Left leads an isolated force in a surprise attack. His army numbers fewer than ten thousand, his men are not yet loyal to him, and he has no baggage train — he must live off the wild grain of the countryside. The best plan is to drive all the people of Baxi and Zitong inland west of the Fu River, burn every granary and field of wild grain, build high ramparts and deep ditches, and wait quietly. When they arrive, refuse battle even if they challenge you. Deprived of supplies for no more than a hundred days, they will surely flee on their own. Strike them as they retreat, and you will surely capture them." When Liu Bei heard of this plan he was alarmed and asked Fa Zheng about it. Fa Zheng said, "Liu Zhang will never adopt it — have no fear." Liu Zhang indeed told his subordinates, "I have heard that one repels the enemy to protect the people — I have never heard of harming the people to avoid an enemy." He rejected Zheng Du's plan. Liu Zhang sent his generals Liu Gui, Leng Bao, Zhang Ren, Deng Xian, Wu Yi, and others to resist Liu Bei. All were defeated and withdrew to hold Mianzhu; Wu Yi came to Liu Bei's camp and surrendered. Liu Zhang again sent Protector of the Army Li Yan of Nanyang and Fei Guan of Jiangxia to command the armies at Mianzhu. Li Yan and Fei Guan also led their troops to surrender to Liu Bei. Liu Bei's army grew ever stronger, and he dispatched his generals in separate columns to pacify the subordinate counties. Liu Gui, Zhang Ren, and Liu Zhang's son Liu Xun withdrew to hold Luocheng. Liu Bei advanced and besieged the city. Zhang Ren led his troops out to fight at Wild Goose Bridge. His army was defeated and Zhang Ren was killed.
58
秋，七月，魏始建社稷、宗廟。
In autumn, in the seventh month, Wei first established altars to the soil and grain and ancestral temples.
59
魏公操納三女為貴人。
Duke Cao of Wei took three daughters into the palace as Noble Ladies.
60
初，魏公操追馬超至安定，聞田銀、蘇伯反，引軍還。 參涼州軍事楊阜言於操曰：「超有信、布之勇，甚得羌、胡心； 若大軍還，不設備，隴上諸郡非國家之有也。」 操還，超果率羌、胡擊隴上諸郡縣，郡縣皆應之，惟冀城奉州郡以固守。 超盡兼隴右之眾，張魯復遣大將楊昂助之，凡萬餘人，攻冀城，自正月至八月，救兵不至。 刺史韋康遣別駕閻溫出，告急於夏侯淵，外圍數重，溫夜從水中潛出。 明日，超兵見其跡，遣追獲之。 超載溫詣城下，使告城中云：「東方無救。」 溫向城大呼曰：「大軍不過三日至，勉之！」 城中皆泣，稱萬歲。 超雖怒，猶以攻城久不下，徐徐更誘溫，冀其改意。 溫曰：「事君有死無二，而卿乃欲令長者出不義之言乎！」 超遂殺之。 已而外救不至，韋康太守欲降。 楊阜號哭諫曰：「阜等率父兄子弟以義相勵，有死無二，以為使君守此城。 今奈何棄垂成之功，陷不義之名乎！」 刺史、太守不聽，開城門迎超。 超入，遂殺刺史、太守，自稱征西將軍、領并州牧、督涼州軍事。
Earlier, when Duke Cao of Wei pursued Ma Chao to Anding, he heard that Tian Yin and Su Bo had rebelled and turned his army back. Yang Fu, who participated in Liangzhou military affairs, said to Cao Cao, "Ma Chao has the courage of Xin and Bu and has deeply won the hearts of the Qiang and Hu; if your main army withdraws without making preparations, the commanderies of Longshang will no longer belong to the state." Cao Cao withdrew, and Ma Chao indeed led the Qiang and Hu to attack the commanderies and counties of Longshang. The commanderies and counties all rose in response — only Jicheng, loyal to the provincial and commandery authorities, held firm. Ma Chao mustered all the forces of Longyou. Zhang Lu again sent his great general Yang Ang to assist him—more than ten thousand men in all—attacking Jicheng. From the first month through the eighth month, no relief arrived. Inspector Wei Kang sent Vice-Director Yan Wen out to report the emergency to Xiahou Yuan. The outer encirclement was many layers deep, and Wen slipped out through the water at night. The next day Ma Chao's troops saw his tracks and sent pursuers who captured him. Ma Chao loaded Wen onto a cart and brought him below the city, making him tell those inside: "There is no relief from the east." Yan Wen shouted toward the city: "The great army will arrive within three days at most—take heart!" Those in the city all wept and cried "Long live!" Though Ma Chao was angry, because the siege had long failed to take the city he gradually tried to entice Wen further, hoping he would change his mind. Yan Wen said: "Serving one's lord—there is death but no second loyalty. Yet you would have an elder speak unrighteous words!" Ma Chao then killed him. Before long outside relief did not arrive. Grand Administrator Wei Kang wished to surrender. Yang Fu wailed and remonstrated: "Fu and others led fathers, elder brothers, sons, and younger brothers, roused by righteousness—death but no second loyalty—to hold this city for our lord. Now how can we abandon a nearly completed achievement and fall into an unrighteous name!" The inspector and grand administrator would not listen and opened the city gates to welcome Ma Chao. Ma Chao entered and then killed the inspector and grand administrator, styling himself General Who Subdues the West, holding the governorship of Bing province and supervising Liang province military affairs.
61
魏公操便夏侯淵救冀，未到而冀敗。 淵去冀二百餘里，超來逆戰，淵軍不利。 氐王千萬反應超，屯興國，淵引軍還。 會楊阜喪妻，就超求假以葬之。 阜外兄天水姜敘為撫夷將軍，擁兵屯歷城。 阜見敘及其母，歔欷悲甚。 敘曰：「何為乃爾？」 阜曰：「守城不能完，君亡不能死，亦何面目以視息於天下！ 馬超背父叛君，虐殺州將，豈獨阜之憂責，一州士大夫皆蒙其恥。 君擁兵專制而無討賊心，此趙盾所以書弒君也。 超強而無義，多釁，易圖耳。」 敘母慨然曰：「咄！ 伯奕，韋伯君遇難，亦汝之負，豈獨義山哉！ 人誰不死，死於忠義，得其所也。 但當速發，勿復顧我； 我自為汝當之，不以餘年累汝也。」 敘乃與同郡趙昂、尹奉、武都李俊等合謀討超，又使人至冀，結安定梁寬、南安趙衢使為內應。 超取趙昂子月為質，昂謂妻異曰：「吾謀如是，事必萬全，當奈月何？」 異厲聲應曰：「雪君父之大恥，喪元不足為重，況一子哉！」
Duke of Wei Cao Cao sent Xiahou Yuan to rescue Jicheng. He had not arrived when Jicheng fell. Yuan was more than two hundred li from Jicheng when Ma Chao came to meet him in battle and Yuan's army fared poorly. The Di king Qianwan responded to Ma Chao and encamped at Xingguo. Yuan led his army back. It happened that Yang Fu's wife died. He asked Ma Chao for leave to bury her. Fu's wife's elder brother from Tianshui, Jiang Xu, served as General Who Pacifies the Yi, holding troops encamped at Licheng. When Fu saw Xu and his mother he sobbed and grieved deeply. Xu said: "Why are you like this?" Fu said: "I could not complete the defense of the city, and when our lord died I could not die with him—what face have I to draw breath under Heaven! Ma Chao turned against his father and rebelled against his lord, cruelly killing the provincial commander—not Fu's worry and blame alone. The scholars and officials of the whole province all bear this shame. You hold troops and act on your own authority yet have no heart to punish the traitor—this is why Zhao Dun was recorded as having assassinated his lord. Ma Chao is strong but without righteousness, full of offenses—he is easy to plot against." Xu's mother said with indignation: "Tsk! Boyi, when Lord Wei met calamity, that was your burden too—not Yishan's alone! Who does not die? To die for loyalty and righteousness is to die in the right place. Only hurry to act—do not again worry over me; I myself will answer for you and will not burden you with my remaining years." Xu then joined with Zhao Ang, Yin Feng, Li Jun of Wudu, and others of his commandery in a plot to attack Ma Chao, and also sent men to Jicheng to win Liang Kuan of Anding and Zhao Qu of Nan'an as inside collaborators. Ma Chao took Zhao Ang's son Yue as hostage. Ang said to his wife Yi: "My plan is thus—the affair is sure to succeed in every way. What shall we do about Yue?" Yi answered in a stern voice: "To wipe away the great shame of lord and father—losing one's life is not weighty. How much less one son!"
62
九月，阜與敘進兵，入鹵城，昂、奉據祁山，以討超。 超聞之，大怒，趙衢因譎說超，使自出擊之。 超出，衢與梁寬閉冀城門，盡殺超妻子。 超進退失據，乃襲歷城，得敘母。 敘母罵之曰：「汝背父之逆子，殺君之桀賊，天地豈久容汝！ 而不早死，敢以面目視人乎！」 超殺之，又殺趙昂之子月。 楊阜與超戰，身被五創。 超兵敗，遂南奔張魯。 魯以超為都講祭酒，欲妻之以女。 或謂魯曰：「有人若此，不愛其親，焉能愛人！」 魯乃止。 操封討超之功，侯者十一人，賜楊阜爵關內侯。
In the ninth month, Fu and Xu advanced their troops into Lucheng. Ang and Feng held Qishan to attack Ma Chao. When Ma Chao heard of it he was greatly enraged. Zhao Qu by deceit urged Ma Chao to go out and attack them himself. When Ma Chao went out, Qu and Liang Kuan closed the gates of Jicheng and killed all of Ma Chao's wife and children. Ma Chao lost his footing in advance and retreat and then raided Licheng, capturing Xu's mother. Xu's mother cursed him: "You are a traitor son who turned against your father, a violent traitor who killed your lord—Heaven and Earth cannot long tolerate you! Yet you do not die early—you dare show your face to others!" Ma Chao killed her and also killed Zhao Ang's son Yue. Yang Fu fought Ma Chao and received five wounds on his body. Ma Chao's army was defeated and he fled south to Zhang Lu. Zhang Lu made Ma Chao Director of Lectures and Sacrificial Offerings and wished to give him his daughter in marriage. Someone said to Zhang Lu: "A man like this—if he does not love his own kin, how can he love others!" Zhang Lu then desisted. Cao Cao enfeoffed those who had merit in attacking Ma Chao—eleven men as marquises—and granted Yang Fu the rank of Marquis within the Passes.
63
冬，十一月，魏初置尚書、侍中、六卿； 以荀攸為尚書令，涼茂為僕射，毛玠、崔琰、常林、徐奕、何夔為尚書，王粲、杜襲、衛覬、和洽為侍中，鐘繇為大理，王修為大司農，袁渙為郎中令、行御史大夫事，陳群為御史中丞。 袁渙得賞賜，皆散之，家無所儲，乏則取之於人，不為皦察之行，然時人皆服其清。 時有傳劉備死者，群臣皆賀，唯渙獨否。
In winter, during the eleventh month, Wei for the first time established Masters of Writing, Palace Attendants, and the Six Ministers; Xun You was made Director of the Masters of Writing, Liang Mao Vice Director, Mao Jie, Cui Yan, Chang Lin, Xu Yi, and He Kui Masters of Writing, Wang Can, Du Xi, Wei Ji, and He Qia Palace Attendants, Zhong Yao Director of the Court of Justice, Wang Xiu Director of the Grand Granary, Yuan Huan Director of the Palace Secretariat acting as Grand Master of Works, and Chen Qun Vice Director of the Censorate. Yuan Huan received rewards and bestowals and distributed them all. His household had no stores, and when in want he took from others. He did not practice conduct of minute scrutiny, yet the men of the time all submitted to his purity. At that time there was a rumor that Liu Bei had died. The ministers all congratulated, but Huan alone did not.
64
魏公操欲復肉刑，令曰：「昔陳鴻臚以為死刑有可加於仁恩者，御史中丞能申其父之論乎？」 陳群對曰：「臣父紀以為漢除肉刑而增加於笞，本興仁惻而死者更眾，所謂名輕而實重者也。 名輕則易犯，實重則傷民。 且殺人償死，合於古制； 至於傷人，或殘毀其體，而裁翦毛髮，非其理也。 若用古刑，使淫者下蠶室，盜者刖其足，則永無淫放穿窬之奸矣。 夫三千之屬，雖末可悉復，若斯數者，時之所患，宜先施用。 漢律所殺，殊死之罪，仁所不及也，其餘逮死者，可易以肉刑。 如此，則所刑之與所生足以相貿矣。 今以笞死之法易不殺之刑，是重人支體而輕人軀命也。」 當時議者，唯鐘繇與群議同，餘皆以為未可行。 操以軍事未罷，顧眾議而止。」
Duke of Wei Cao Cao wished to restore corporal punishment and issued an order: "In former times Palace Attendant Chen believed that capital punishment could be added to benevolent grace. Can the Vice Director of the Censorate set forth his father's argument?" Chen Qun replied: "My late father Ji held that when Han abolished corporal punishment and increased flogging, it was originally to raise benevolent compassion, yet the dead became more numerous—what is called a light name but a heavy reality. When the name is light, offenses are easy to commit. When the reality is heavy, the people are harmed. Moreover, killing repays killing—this accords with ancient regulation; as for injuring a person, sometimes mutilating the body yet only trimming hair and beard—this is not reasonable. If ancient punishments were used, making the licentious enter the silkworm chamber and cutting off the feet of thieves, then there would forever be no licentiousness, robbery, or burglary. Of the three thousand categories, though not all can be fully restored, for such numbers as these—the troubles of the time—it is fitting to apply them first. Among Han statutes for killing, the crime of special death is beyond the reach of benevolence. For the rest who face death, corporal punishment may replace it. Thus the punishment applied and the life preserved would be enough to balance each other. Now to replace punishments that do not kill with the flogging-to-death law is to value men's limbs lightly and value men's lives heavily." Among those who deliberated at the time, only Zhong Yao agreed with Qun. The rest all held it could not yet be carried out. Cao Cao, because military affairs had not ceased, looked to the assembly's opinion and stopped.”