Luo Guanzhong

“ Zhao Yun went to protect Gongsun Zan, fighting his way out of the tight encirclement, and returning to the Jie Bridge. Shao pressed his troops in a massive surge forward, once again fighting their way over the bridge. Countless men fell into the water to their deaths. ”

“ Li Ru said to Zhuo, "In our times, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan have both proven to be men of outstanding abilities. As we speak, they are slaughtering each other at the Pan River. We should write a forged edict of the Son of Heaven, and send someone with it so that they will make peace with each other. ”

“ Biao hastily summoned Kuai Liang to discuss the matter. Liang said, "The army has just suffered a recent loss, and the soldiers no longer have the will to fight. Our only option is to dig in so as to withstand the brunt of the enemy's attack; furthermore, we should secretly send someone to ask Yuan Shao to come to the rescue. It's the only way we will break out of the enemy's encirclement." Cai Mao said, "Zirou's words of advice represent nothing but a foolish plan. The enemy army is just outside the gates of the city, and their general has arrived on the banks of the river. ”

“ It's like leading a tiger into a group of lambs." Fu responded, "I am a former employee of the Yuan family, and I know that my abilities do not match those of Benchu. The ancients would select men of talent and then defer to them. Why are you all so jealous of him?" Geng Wu sighed, saying, "Jizhou is done for!" After that, more than thirty people abandoned their posts; only Geng Wu and Guan Chun remained hidden outside of the city walls, in anticipation of Yuan Shao's arrival. ”

“ Han Fu, the overlord of Jizhou, had dispatched people to send more grain for the use of Shao's army. The advisor Pang Ji implored Shao, saying, "You have license to do as you please anywhere in the country, why wait for someone to send grain for you to eat? Jizhou has an abundance of food and riches. Why don't you confiscate what you need from there?" Shao said, "I don't have a good strategy." Ji replied, "You could secretly send someone with an express letter to Gongsun Zan, ordering him to advance his army and take over Jizhou. ”

“ Huan Jie entered the city to see Liu Biao, and stated his case. Biao said, "I have already interred Wentai's body in a coffin here. You must quickly return Huang Zu, so that both sides can stand down our armies, and not encroach upon each other's territory." Huan Jie expressed his thanks and was about to leave, when Kuai Liang emerged from underneath the base of the steps, saying, "Unacceptable! Unacceptable! I have something to say; we must see to it that the army from the eastern bank of the Yangtze [1] is completely defeated. ”

“ Jian yelled out, "Halt!" Lü Gong wheeled his horse around, and engaged in battle with Sun Jian. The two men only fought one bout on their horses, before Lü Gong rode off on a mountain path. Jian followed close on his heels, but did not see Lü Gong. As soon as Jian went up the mountain, a sudden cacophony of war gongs rang out. Stones rained down on him from higher on the mountain, and arrows were launched in unison from the forest. Jian was struck by the stones and arrows, and his brain fluid came gushing out. Both man and horse died on Mount Xian, Sun Jian was just 37 years old. ”

“ When the spies along the river found out what was going on, they reported what they saw to Liu Biao. Biao was shocked, and hastily convened his military and civilian advisors to discuss the situation. Kuai Liang said, "No need to worry, we can order Huang Zu to take charge of the Jiangxia troops; his force would be at the front. Your Excellency could lead the men from Jingzhou and Xiang as a contingency force. Sun Jian has crossed many rivers and lakes to get here; in light of that, how would he be able to use a sizable military force against you?" ”

“ Sun Jian mounted an advance with his own victorious troops. Cai Mao took to the battlefield on his horse. Jian said, "This man is the older brother of Liu Biao's concubine; who will capture him for me?" Cheng Pu raised his iron-ridged long lance, and rode out on his horse to take on Cai Mao. After not more than a few bouts, Cai Mao fled in defeat. Jian pushed his army forward, killing everyone in sight, until dead corpses blanketed the countryside. Cai Mao fled into Xiangyang. Kuai Liang accused Mao of not heeding a good strategy, which led to a major defeat ”

“ Kuai Liang said, "Since you are daring enough to go, you should listen to my plan. I will give you five hundred horses and men. Make sure that you bring extra archers, then push through their battle lines and make your way to Mount Xian. They will almost certainly lead their army in pursuit, at which point, you will dispatch one hundred of your men to climb up the mountain. There, they should prepare themselves by searching for rocks and stones. Another one hundred men should take their bows and crossbows, and hide in the forest. ”

“ The minute the Qiang saw those white horses, they immediately would flee. Because of this, he had an unusually large number of white horses. Yuan Shao ordered Yan Liang and Wen Chou to take point, each leading 1,000 archers. These two groups were also split up, one on the right and one on the left. The group on the left was ordered to shoot at Gongsun Zan's army of the right, while the group on the right was to shoot at Gongsun Zan's army of the left. Qu Yi was placed at the center of the battle formation, and was ordered to lead 800 archers and 15,000 soldiers. ”

“ Cheng Pu spurred his horse into action, and charged his horse directly at Huang Zu. Huang Zu got rid of his helmet and war horse, and waded into his infantry in order to save himself. Sun Jian killed everything in sight, and drove the enemy all the way to the Han River. He then ordered Huang Gai to anchor the war junks in the Han River.
24 黃祖聚敗軍,來見劉表,備言堅勢不可當。表慌請蒯良商議。良曰:「目今新敗,兵無戰心;只可深溝高壘,以避其鋒;卻潛令人求救於袁紹,此圍自可解也。」蔡瑁曰:「子柔之言,直拙計也。兵臨城下,將至河邊,豈可束手待斃?某雖不才,願請軍出城,以決一戰。」劉表許之。 Huang Zu gathered up his defeated army, and went to see Liu Biao; he explained in great detail how Jian was an unstoppable force. ”

“ Wen Chou clutched his spear and hastily jabbed at his opponent. Suddenly, a young general appeared from the left side of the grassy hillside; he was charging full speed at Wen Chou, with his spear raised over his head.
9 公孫瓚爬上坡去看,那少年生得身長八尺,濃眉大眼,闊面重頤,威風凜凜;與文醜大戰五六十合,勝負未分。瓚部下救軍到,文醜撥馬回去了。那少年也不追趕。瓚忙下土坡,問那少年姓名。那少年欠身答曰:「某乃常山真定人也;姓趙,名雲,字子龍;本袁紹轄下之人。因見紹無忠君救民之心,故特棄彼而投麾下;不期於此處相見。」瓚大喜,遂同歸寨,整頓甲兵。 Zhao Yun Gongsun Zan climbed up the hill to get a better look. The young man stood at a height of eight chi, [5] had bushy eyebrows and big eyes, with a wide face and a prominent jaw. ”

“ The instant the pursuing army arrives, the rest of your men should not depart in a straight line. Rather, they should wind their way up the mountain, making their way to the ambush spot. Once there, let the enemy have it with all of your rocks and arrows. If you manage to obtain a victory, launch a bunch of flares, and we will exit the city and join forces with you. In the event that the enemy does not give chase, hurry up and leave the area without launching any flares. ”

“ He would almost certainly give you preferential treatment, and you would not have to worry about Gongsun Zan."
4 韓馥即差別駕關純去請袁紹。長史耿武諫曰:「袁紹孤客窮軍,仰我鼻息,譬如嬰兒在股掌之上, 絕其乳哺,立可餓死。奈何欲以州事委之?此引虎入羊群也。」馥曰:「吾乃袁氏之故吏,才能又不如本初。古者擇賢者而讓之,諸君何嫉妒耶?」耿武嘆曰:「冀州休矣!」於是棄職而去者三十餘人;獨耿武與關純伏於城外,以待袁紹。 Han Fu immediately sent his assistant, Guan Chun, [2] to propose the matter to Yuan Shao. Geng Wu, his chief secretary, admonished him, "Yuan Shao is all alone, with an army which is cut off and isolated. They rely on our power and influence just like a baby relies on hips and palms to be carried around. ”

“ With that, Yue took his leave. He had gone not more than 50 li, [3] when a group of soldiers and horses appeared from the side of the road. They yelled out, "We are Chancellor Dong's personal guards!" ”