Luo Guanzhong

“ Rong said, "Cao's military might is considerable. Moreover, Cao is adept in the use of military force. We must not attack prematurely. We must first observe what he does, before advancing our own forces." Xuande said, "I'm just afraid that, since the city is without supplies, it will be difficult for it to hold out for long. I have ordered Yunchang and Zilong to lead 4,000 men. These men will serve under your command. I will make a dash through Cao's camp, along with Zhang Fei, and head for Xuzhou so that I can consult with provincial governor Tao." Kong Rong was overjoyed. ”

“ Xuande said, "What kind of a person do you take me for? The great sage said, 'From of old, death has been the lot of all men; but if people have no faith in a person, there is no standing for that person.' I will either be allowed to borrow the troops or not. Either way, I will be there with you."
12 孔融應允;教糜竺先回徐州去報,融便收拾起程。太史慈拜謝曰:「慈奉母命前來相助,今幸無虞。有揚州刺史劉繇,與慈同郡,有書來喚,不敢不去,容圖再見。」融以金帛相酬,慈不肯受而歸。其母見之,喜曰:「我喜汝有以報北海也!」遂遣慈往揚州去了。 Kong Rong gave his consent. He instructed Mi Zhu to go on ahead of him and report back to Xuzhou. ”

“ Lü Bu had a camp to the west of Puyang that did not have many soldiers. Tonight, those generals will surely be unprepared, having just been routed by our army. We could lead our men in an attack on them. If we can capture their camp, then Bu's soldiers will be terrified for sure. This is the best course of action." Cao followed his advice, taking with him his six generals --- Cao Hong, Li Dian, Mao Jie, Lü Qian, Yu Jin and Dian Wei --- as well as 20,000 horses and men, on an all night advance along a small side road. ”

“ After Xuande finished reading the letter, he asked Ci, "Who are you?" Ci said, "I am Taishi Ci. I come from a remote area of Donghai Commandery. Kong Rong is not a member of my family, and we don't come from the same hamlet. However, we have made it a point to forge a bond with each other on the basis of mutual aspirations and mutual goodwill. I also share his concerns and worries. Now that Guan Hai has staged a rebellion, Beihai is in a state of siege, cut off from the outside with nowhere to turn. The people there are in imminent danger. ”

“ Because of this, Zhu began spreading his wealth around and helping the poor and destitute. Later on, Tao Qian hired him as an assistant. On this day, he offered a suggestion, saying, "I am willing to personally go to Beihai Commandery and ask Kong Rong to raise an army that could assist us. Furthermore, someone else should go to Qingzhou and ask Tian Kai to assist us. If both of their armies arrive in unison, Cao will have no choice but to retreat." ”

“ Cao Cao personally led a force of men and horses to intercept. His army ran straight into Gao Shun's. The three armies were intermingled, and fought each other indiscriminately. As dawn approached, the sound of drums shook the earth from the west. Someone reported that Lü Bu had arrived, personally leading a rescue force. Cao Cao gave up on the camp and left. Following in pursuit was Gao Shun, Wei Xu and Hou Cheng, when Lü Bu arrived personally with his army. Yu Jin and Yue Jin both tried to hold back Lü Bu, all to no avail. Cao headed north. ”

“ That's why he left Xue Lan in charge of defending Yanzhou, while he headed off for Puyang; how could he possibly have the foresight to hide his men here?" He instructed Cao Ren, "Take your army and surround Yanzhou. I will advance toward Puyang and quickly attack Lü Bu."
28 陳宮聞曹兵至近,乃獻計曰:「今曹兵遠來疲困,利在速戰,不可養成氣力。」布曰:「吾匹馬縱橫天下,何愁曹操!待其下寨,吾自擒之。」 When Chen Gong heard that Cao's army was approaching, he came up with a brilliant plan, saying, "Cao's army will be tired after such a long journey. Now is a good time to quickly attack, before they have a chance to regain their strength." ”

“ She then sent off Ci to Yangzhou.
13 不說孔融起兵。且說玄德投北海來見公孫瓚,且說欲救徐州之事。瓚曰:「曹操與君無讎,何苦替人出力?」玄德曰:「備已許人,不敢失信。」瓚曰:「我借與君馬步軍二千。」玄德曰:「更望借趙子龍一行。」瓚許之,玄德遂與關、張引本部三千人為前部,子龍引二千軍隨後,往徐州來。 It goes without saying that Kong Rong raised an army. Let us now turn to Xuande, who went to Beihai to see Gongsun Zan so that he could explain how he wanted to help save Xuzhou. Zan said, "There is no enmity between Cao Cao and you. Why bother to exert yourself on behalf of these people?" Xuande said, "I have already told them that I would, and I don't dare go back on my word." Zan said, "I will loan you a force of 2,000 men." ”

“ My mother said, 'We have been the recipient of His Excellency's kind care on multiple occasions. You must go to his aid.' That is why I have come alone on my horse." Kong Rong was overjoyed. As it turns out, even though Kong Rong did not know Taishi Ci by sight, he nevertheless was aware that this man was a hero. Because Ci had left home, leaving his aged mother living 20 li outside of the city, [8] Rong had frequently sent someone with grains and silks to give to Ci's mother. ”

“ Gong said, "Cao Cao is a man who is extremely good at using soldiers; we must prevent him from attacking us while unawares." Accordingly, Bu appointed Gao Shun, along with Wei Xu and Hou Cheng, to lead a force toward Bu's western camp in order to protect it. ”

“ Zan gave his consent, then Xuande, Guan and Zhang set out toward Xuzhou, leading with the main force of 3,000 men, while Zilong brought up the rear with the other 2,000 men.
14 卻說糜竺回報陶謙,言北海又請得劉玄德來助;陳元龍也回報青州田楷欣然領兵來救;陶謙心安。原來孔融、田楷兩路軍馬,懼怕曹兵勢猛,遠遠依山下寨,未敢輕進。曹操見兩路軍到,亦分了軍勢,不敢向前攻城。 Let us now turn to Mi Zhu, who had reported back to Tao Qian how, in Beihai, he was able to enlist Liu Xuande to help out. Additionally, Chen Yuanlong reported back that Tian Kai of Qingzhou was happily leading troops to come and assist. Tao Qian's mind was put to rest. ”

“ He wrote the letter and gave it to Ci. Ci donned his armor and mounted his horse. He attached his bow and arrows to his belt, and carried an iron spear in his hand. After he was well fed and properly dressed, he dashed out of the city gates on his horse. When he approached the moat, the bandit leader led his men in an attack. Ci stabbed and killed several people in a row with his spear, breaking free of the encirclement. Guan Hai knew that someone had left the city, and anticipated that it was surely for the purpose of seeking relief troops. ”

“ He had boarded his carriage and was returning to his home town, when he encountered a married woman along the road. The woman asked to ride along in his chariot, so Zhu got out and started walking, allowing the woman to ride in the carriage. ”