第四十五回  群英会

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操问众将曰：“昨日输了一阵，挫动锐气；今又被他深窥吾寨。吾当作何计破之？”言未毕，忽帐下一人出曰：“某自幼与周郎同窗交契，愿凭三寸不烂之舌，往江东说此人来降。”曹操大喜，视之，乃九江人，姓蒋，名干，字子翼，现为帐下幕宾。操问曰：“子翼与周公瑾相厚乎？”干曰：“丞相放心。干到江左，必要成功。”操问：“要将何物去？”干曰：“只消一童随往，二仆驾舟，其余不用。”操甚喜，置酒与蒋干送行。

Cao Cao conferred with his commanders. “Yesterday,” he said, “we lost a battle and our momentum. Now they have sailed in, close enough to spy on our camp. How can we defeat them?” As he spoke, one man stepped forward and volunteered, “Zhou Yu and I have been close since childhood when we studied together. Let me try my powers of persuasion on him and see if I can get him to surrender.” Cao Cao turned a pleased eye on the man. It was Jiang Gan (Ziyi) of Jiujiang, a member of his council. “You are on good terms with Zhou Yu?” Cao Cao asked. “Your troubles are over, Your Excellency,” said Jiang Gan. “I will visit south and succeed on this mission.” “What will you need?” asked Cao. “A page to accompany me, 2 servants to row me across. That’s all” Cao Cao, immensely joyful, regaled Jiang Gan with wine and sent him off.

干葛巾布袍，驾一只小舟，径到周瑜寨中，命传报：“故人蒋干相访。”周瑜正在帐中议事，闻干至，笑谓诸将曰：“说客至矣！”遂与众将附耳低言，如此如此。众皆应命而去。

The envoy, dressed in hempen scarf and plain weave robe, rode in a small ship, straight to Zhou Yu’s camp. His arrival was announced—“Jiang Gan, an old friend comes to visit”—just when Zhou Yu was in conference. Delighted by the news, he turned to his commanders and said, “The ‘persuader’ has come.” Instantly he told each of them what to do, and they left to perform their instructions.

瑜整衣冠，引从者数百，皆锦衣花帽，前后簇拥而出。蒋干引一青衣小童，昂然而来。瑜拜迎之。干曰：“公瑾别来无恙！”瑜曰：“子翼良苦：远涉江湖，为曹氏作说客耶？”干愕然曰：“吾久别足下，特来叙旧，奈何疑我作说客也？”瑜笑曰：“吾虽不及师旷之聪，闻弦歌而知雅意。”干曰：“足下待故人如此，便请告退。”瑜笑而挽其臂曰：“吾但恐兄为曹氏作说客耳。既无此心，何速去也？”

Zhou Yu adjusted his headdress and garb and, surrounded by several hundred in brocade clothes and decorated hats, came forth. Jiang Gan approached swaggeringly with his single young attendant who was dressed in plain black. Zhou Yu greeted him with a low bow. “You have been well since we parted, I suppose,” said the visitor. “My friend, you have come a long way, I believe, you are here to serve as Cao Cao’s persuader?” Zhou Yu responded. Taken aback, Jiang Gan said: “We have been apart so long, I came especially to reminisce. How could you suspect me of such a thing?” With a smile Zhou Yu answered, “My ear may not be so fine as the great musician Shi Kuang’s, but I can discern good music and what it means.” “Dear friend,” Jiang Gan replied, “if this is how you treat an old friend, I must beg my leave.” Still smiling, Zhou Yu took Jiang Gan by the arm and said, “I was worried, worthy brother, that you were sent here by Cao to win me over, that’s all. If you have no such purpose, there is no need to leave at rush. Please stay.”

遂同入帐。叙礼毕，坐定，即传令悉召江左英杰与子翼相见。须臾，文官武将，各穿锦衣；帐下偏裨将校，都披银铠：分两行而入。瑜都教相见毕，就列于两傍而坐。大张筵席，奏军中得胜之乐，轮换行酒。瑜告众官曰：“此吾同窗契友也。虽从江北到此，却不是曹家说客。公等勿疑。”

And so the friends went into the tent together. After the ritual greetings they seated themselves, and Zhou Yu summoned the notables of the South to meet his friend. Chief officials and generals in formal dress and subordinate officers and commanders clad in silvered armor entered shortly in 2 columns. Zhou Yu had each one introduced to Jiang Gan and seated in 1 of 2 rows to the side. A great feast was spread and victory melody performed. Wine came too, round and round. Zhou Yu addressed the assembly: “Here is one of my schoolmates, a close friend. Although he has come from north of the river, he is not serving as a persuader of Cao Cao. Put your suspicions away, gentlemen.”

遂解佩剑付太史慈曰：“公可佩我剑作监酒：今日宴饮，但叙朋友交情；如有提起曹操与东吴军旅之事者，即斩之！”太史慈应诺，按剑坐于席上。蒋干惊愕，不敢多言。周瑜曰：“吾自领军以来，滴酒不饮；今日见了故人，又无疑忌，当饮一醉。”说罢，大笑畅饮。座上觥筹交错。

He then removed his saber and handed it to Taishi Ci, saying, “Wear my saber and supervise the banquet. We will speak of friendship at this event and nothing else. If anyone so much as mentions the affairs related to Cao Cao and the Southland’s forces, take off his head!” Taishi Ci acknowledged the order and sat at the feast, his hand resting on the saber. Terror-stricken, Jiang Gan said little. “Since taking command of the army,” Zhou Yu declared, “I have drunk no wine. But today, in the company of an old friend, have no suspicion in mind, let us drink our fill.” With that, he laughed loudly and drank heavily. The toasts came thick and fast.

饮至半酣，瑜携干手，同步出帐外。左右军士，皆全装惯带，持戈执戟而立。瑜曰：“吾之军士，颇雄壮否？”干曰：“真熊虎之士也，”瑜又引干到帐后一望，粮草堆如山积。瑜曰：“吾之粮草，颇足备否？”干曰：“兵精粮足，名不虚传。”

When they had grown flushed and mellow, Zhou Yu took Jiang Gan by the hand, and the 2 friends strolled outside the tent. To the left and right of them stood soldiers in complete outfit, armed with dagger or halberd. “Formidable, my soldiers, are they not?” Zhou Yu asked. “Ferocious as bears, fierce as tigers,” Jiang Gan agreed. Then Zhou Yu led his guest around behind the headquarters where hills of grain and folder were stored. “Ample, my provisions, are they not?” Zhou Yu asked his guest again. “Crack troops and full bins. Your high reputation is as good as ture,” Jiang Gan agreed once more.

瑜佯醉大笑曰：“想周瑜与子翼同学业时，不曾望有今日。”干曰：“以吾兄高才，实不为过。”瑜执干手曰：“大丈夫处世，遇知己之主，外托君臣之义，内结骨肉之恩，言必行，计必从，祸福共之。假使苏秦、张仪、陆贾、郦生复出，口似悬河，舌如利刃，安能动我心哉！”言罢大笑。蒋干面如土色。

Feigning intoxication, Zhou Yu laughed heartily. “To think we were once students together!” he said. “Who would have foreseen a day like today?” “Brother,” said Jiang Gan, “with your supreme abilities, such accomplishment is only too fitting.” Gripping Jiang Gan’s hand, Zhou Yu said, “As a man of honor all my life and one having the good fortune to serve a lord who appreciates me, I am as obligated to that honored bond between liege and liege man as I am by my kinsmen’s love. What I say, he does. What I propose, he approves. His misfortunes and his blessings are mine as much as his. Were the great rhetoricians of old—Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Lu Jia, Li Yiji—were they to walk the earth again, delivering speeches like cascading streams and wielding their tongues like sharp swords, they could not persuade me!” Having spoken, Zhou Yu burst into laughter. Jiang Gan’s face became ashen.

瑜复携干入帐，会诸将再饮；因指诸将曰：“此皆江东之英杰。今日此会，可名群英会。”饮至天晚，点上灯烛，瑜自起舞剑作歌。歌曰：“丈夫处世兮立功名；立功名兮慰平生。慰平生兮吾将醉；吾将醉兮发狂吟！”

Zhou Yu led his guest back into the tent, and the general carousing resumed. Zhou Yu pointed to his commanders and said, “The men gathered here are all outstanding characters of the Southland. And this assembly today shall be known as the Congregation of the Heroes.” The company kept on drinking until it was time to light the lamps. Then Zhou Yu rose and performed a sword dance, singing: In this life a man must make his name; A good name is a comfort all life long. A lifelong comfort; Oh, let me feel the wine, And flushed with wine, I’ll sing my wildest song.

歇罢，满座欢笑。至夜深，干辞曰：“不胜酒力矣。”瑜命撤席，诸将辞出。瑜曰：“久不与子翼同榻，今宵抵足而眠。”于是佯作大醉之状，携干入帐共寝。瑜和衣卧倒，呕吐狼藉。蒋干如何睡得着？伏枕听时，军中鼓打二更，起视残灯尚明。看周瑜时，鼻息如雷。

When he finished the performance, the whole table laughed merrily. As the night advanced, Jiang Gan prepared to take his leave. “The wine was too much for me,” he said. Zhou Yu dismissed the guests, and the commanders bade their leave. “We have not shared a couch for many years, my friend,” Zhou Yu said. “Tonight we share a bed foot-to-foot.” Again feigning intoxication, he led Jiang Gan arm in arm into his bedchamber and there collapsed, sprawling into bed fully dressed and vomiting plentifully. How could Jiang Gan sleep? He lay on his pillow, listening. The drum sounded the 2^nd watch. Lifting his head, he saw the wasted candle still giving light. And Zhou Yu was snoring like a thunder.

干见帐内桌上，堆着一卷文书，乃起床偷视之，却都是往来书信。内有一封，上写“蔡瑁张允谨封。”干大惊，暗读之。书略曰：“某等降曹，非图仕禄，迫于势耳。今已赚北军困于寨中，但得其便，即将操贼之首，献于麾下。早晚人到，便有关报。幸勿见疑。先此敬覆。”

On the table, Jiang Gan noticed a scroll of documents. He rose and stealthily scanned them, among this pile of correspondences, there was a letter from Cao Cao’s 2 naval commanders, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. An astonished Jiang Gan peeked at the contents: We forced to surrender ourselves to Cao only by his power, not for wealth or rank. We have tricked the northern army by enclosing it inside the large ships. The moment we have he chance, we will deliver the traitor Cao’s head to you. Someone will come with further information. Have no doubts. Herein our respectful reply.

干思曰：“原来蔡瑁、张允结连东吴！”遂将书暗藏于衣内。再欲检看他书时，床上周瑜翻身，干急灭灯就寝。瑜口内含糊曰：“子翼，我数日之内，教你看操贼之首！”干勉强应之。瑜又曰：“子翼，且住！……教你看操贼之首！……”及干问之，瑜又睡着。

Jiang Gan said to himself, “So Cai Mao and Zhang Yun are in league with the Southland!” and stowed the letter in his clothes. He was going to look at some of the other papers, but Zhou Yu turned over in bed. Rapidly, Jiang Gan extinguished the lamp and lay down. Zhou Yu began to mumble, “My friend, wait a few days and you’ll see the head of that traitor Cao!” Jiang Gan managed a reply. Again Zhou Yu said. “Do stay a while… you’ll see Cao Cao’s head…” Jinag Gan tried to question him the details, but Zhou Yu have fallen back asleep.

干伏于床上，将近四更，只听得有人入帐唤曰：“都督醒否？”周瑜梦中做忽觉之状，故问那人曰：“床上睡着何人？”答曰：“都督请子翼同寝，何故忘却？”瑜懊悔曰：“吾平日未尝饮醉；昨日醉后失事，不知可曾说甚言语？”那人曰：“江北有人到此。”瑜喝：“低声！”便唤：“子翼。”蒋干只妆睡着。瑜潜出帐。干窃听之，只闻有人在外曰：“张、蔡二都督道：急切不得下手，……”后面言语颇低，听不真实。

Jiang Gan lay on the bed, sleepless. The 4^th watch was near. He heard someone came into the tent and called out, “Is the marshal awake yet?” Zhou Yu, giving the appearance of a man startled from his dreams, asked the man, “Who is sleeping on my bed?” the man replied, “Marshal, you invited Jiang Gan to share your bed. Have you forgotten?” In a repentant tone, Zhou Yu said, “I never allow myself to get drunk. I was not myself yesterday. I don’t remember if I said anything.” “Someone came from the north,” said the man. “Lower your voice!” Zhou Yu scolded urgently. He then called Jiang Gan, but Gan feigned sleep. Zhou Yu slipped out of the tent. Gan listened intently. Outside someone was saying, “Zhang Yun and Cai Mao said, they have no chance to take action shortly…’ ” The remainder was spoken too low for Jiang Gan to make out.

少顷，瑜入帐，又唤：“子翼。”蒋干只是不应，蒙头假睡。瑜亦解衣就寝。干寻思：“周瑜是个精细人，天明寻书不见，必然害我。”睡至五更，干起唤周瑜；瑜却睡着。干戴上巾帻，潜步出帐，唤了小童，径出辕门。军士问：“先生那里去？”干曰：“吾在此恐误都督事，权且告别。”军士亦不阻当。

Moments later Zhou Yu reentered the tent and called his friend again. Jiang Gan continued the pretense by pulling the blanket over his head and making no response. Zhou Yu took off his clothes and lay down. Jiang Gan thought, “Zhou Yu is shrewd. He is sure to kill me in the morning when he discovers the letter is gone.” Jiang Gan rested until the 5^th watch, then rose and called Zhou Yu. This time, the marshal pretended asleep. Then Jiang Gan put on his cloth and headdress, slipped out of the tent, called his young companion and headed for the main gate. “Where to, sir?” the guard asked. “I’m afraid I have been keeping the field marshal from his work, so I am saying good-bye for now.” The guard made no attempt to stop them.

干下船，飞棹回见曹操。操问：“子翼干事若何？”干曰：“周瑜雅量高致，非言词所能动也。”操怒曰：“事又不济，反为所笑！”干曰：“虽不能说周瑜，却与丞相打听得一件事。乞退左右。”

Jiang Gan boarded his boat and sped back to see Cao Cao. “How did it go?” the prime minister asked. Jiang Gan said, “Zhou Yu is too high-minded to be swayed by speeches.” Angrily Cao replied, “The mission failed. He must be laughed at me!” “Though I could not persuade him, I did manage to find out something important for you, your Excellency. Would you ask the attendants excused themselves?”

干取出书信，将上项事逐一说与曹操。操大怒曰：“二贼如此无礼耶！”即便唤蔡瑁、张允到帐下。操曰：“我欲使汝二人进兵。”瑁曰：“军尚未曾练熟，不可轻进。”操怒曰：“军若练熟，吾首级献于周郎矣！”蔡、张二人不知其意，惊慌不能回答。操喝武士推出斩之。须臾，献头帐下，操方省悟曰：“吾中计矣！”

After the coast is clear, Jiang Gan produced the stolen letter and related point by point all that had happened in Zhou Yu’s chamber. “That’s how the villains repay my kindness!” roared Cao Cao and summoned Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to his quarters at once. “I want you 2 to begin the attack,” Cao Cao said to them. “The training is still unfinished. It would be risky,” Cai Mao replied. “And when the training is finished, will my head be delivered to Zhou Yu?” said Cao. Cai Mao and Zhang Yun could make no sense of this and were too rattled to respond. Cao Cao called for his armed guards to put them to death. But the moment the 2 severed heads were presented in his tent, Cao Cao realized he had been tricked.

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【本文翻译仅为外语学习及阅读目的，原文作者个人观点与译者及译言网无关】