Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Here is the translation of Chapter 6 of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*:

---

Zhang Fei galloped his horse to the pass, but stones and arrows rained down from above like rain, and he could not advance, so he turned back. The eight lords together congratulated Xuande, Guan, and Zhang on their victory and sent men to Yuan Shao's camp to report the success. Shao then issued a dispatch ordering Sun Jian to advance. Jian, with Cheng Pu and Huang Gai, went to Yuan Shu's camp to meet him. Jian drew his staff along the ground and said, "Dong Zhuo and I had no quarrel. Now I have fought recklessly, braving arrows and stones, to join battle: above, to punish the traitor for the state; below, to settle a private grudge for your house. Yet you listened to slander and withheld provisions, causing my defeat. How can you rest at ease?" Shu, frightened and at a loss for words, ordered the slanderer executed to appease Sun Jian.

Then a man reported to Jian, "There is a general at the pass who has ridden to the camp and wishes to see you." Jian took his leave of Yuan Shu and returned to his own camp. When he summoned the visitor, it turned out to be Li Jue, a favorite general of Dong Zhuo. Jian asked, "Why have you come?" Jue said, "The Prime Minister holds only you in esteem. He has sent me especially to propose a marriage alliance: the Prime Minister has a daughter and wishes to betroth her to your son." Jian flew into a furious rage and rebuked him, "Dong Zhuo has defied Heaven and trodden the Way underfoot, overthrowing the royal house. I wish to exterminate his nine clans to appease the world. How could I ever enter into marriage with a traitor! I will not kill you. You must leave quickly, surrender the pass at once, and I will spare your life! But if you delay, your bones will be ground to dust!"

Li Jue fled with his head tucked between his arms and returned to Dong Zhuo, telling him how discourteous Sun Jian had been. Zhuo was furious and asked Li Ru. Ru said, "The Marquis of Wen has just been defeated, and the soldiers have lost the will to fight. It would be better to lead the troops back to Luoyang and move the Emperor to Chang'an, in accordance with a children's rhyme. Recently a children's rhyme in the market streets has gone: 'A Han at the west, a Han at the east. When the deer enters Chang'an, then the hardship will cease.' Your servant reflects on these words: 'A Han at the west' refers to Gaozu's flourishing in the western capital of Chang'an, transmitting the throne through twelve emperors; 'A Han at the east' refers to Guangwu's flourishing in the eastern capital of Luoyang, which has also transmitted twelve emperors. The mandate of Heaven has turned; if the Prime Minister moves back to Chang'an, all will be safe." Zhuo was overjoyed and said, "Had it not been for your words, I truly would not have understood." He then led Lü Bu back to Luoyang that very night to discuss the move of the capital. He assembled the civil and military officials at court and said, "The Eastern Han has been in Luoyang for over two hundred years, and its fortune has waned. I observe that the vital energy lies truly in Chang'an. I wish to escort His Majesty westward. You must all prepare for the journey."

Yang Biao, the Minister over the Masses, said, "Guanzhong is in ruins and desolate. To abandon the ancestral temples and the imperial tombs without cause will surely alarm the people. To stir the world is easy; to settle it is most difficult. I hope the Prime Minister will reflect on this." Zhuo said angrily, "Do you oppose the great plan of the state?" Huang Wan, the Grand Commandant, said, "Minister Yang speaks rightly. In the past, when Wang Mang usurped the throne and during the time of Gengshi and the Red Eyebrows, Chang'an was burned and reduced to rubble. Moreover, the people were displaced, and fewer than one or two in a hundred remained. To abandon the palaces now for wasteland is not fitting." Zhuo said, "The rebels of the east have risen and the world is in turmoil. Chang'an has the natural barriers of Xiao and Han. It is also closer to Longyou, where timber, stone, bricks, and tiles can be obtained within days. The construction of palaces will not take more than a month. Say no more of this." Xun Shuang, the Minister over the Masses, remonstrated, "If the Prime Minister moves the capital, the people will be thrown into turmoil and unrest." Zhuo raged, "I act for the sake of the world—why should I pity common folk!" On that very day he dismissed Yang Biao, Huang Wan, and Xun Shuang and reduced them to commoners.

As Zhuo was getting into his carriage, two men were seen bowing toward the vehicle. On closer look, they were Zhou Bi, a Master of Documents, and Wu Qiong, the Commandant of the City Gates. Zhuo asked what they wanted. Bi said, "We have heard that the Prime Minister wishes to move the capital to Chang'an, and so we have come to remonstrate." Zhuo said in fury, "At first I listened to you two and recommended Yuan Shao. Now Shao has rebelled—you are of the same faction!" He ordered the guards to drag them outside the capital gates and behead them. He then commanded that the capital be moved, to set out the following day. Li Ru said, "At present money and grain are scarce, but Luoyang has many wealthy families whose assets can be confiscated for the state. As for those connected to Yuan Shao and the others, if we kill their clans and seize their property, we are certain to obtain enormous wealth." Zhuo immediately dispatched five thousand iron cavalry to arrest the wealthy households of Luoyang, numbering several thousand families. They planted flags on their heads inscribed with "Rebel Ministers and Traitors," beheaded them all outside the city walls, and seized their gold and property. Li Jue and Guo Si drove the entire population of Luoyang—several million souls—toward Chang'an. Every group of civilians was interspersed with a group of soldiers, who dragged them along. Those who died in the ditches and gullies were beyond counting. The soldiers were also allowed to violate women and seize food; the sound of wailing shook Heaven and Earth. If anyone lagged behind, three thousand soldiers urged them from behind, wielding naked blades and killing people along the road.

Before leaving, Zhuo ordered fires to be set at every gate, burning the houses of the inhabitants, and also set fire to the ancestral temples and palace offices. The northern and southern palaces were joined by flames, and the Luoyang court was reduced entirely to scorched earth. He also sent Lü Bu to excavate the tombs of the former emperors and empresses, seizing their gold and treasure. The soldiers took the opportunity to dig up the graves of officials and commoners alike. Dong Zhuo loaded several thousand carts with gold, pearls, silk, and other precious goods, abducted the Emperor and the empresses, and set out for Chang'an.

Now Zhao Cen, one of Zhuo's generals, seeing that Zhuo had abandoned Luoyang, surrendered the Pass of Si Shui. Sun Jian led his troops in first, while Xuande, Guan, and Zhang entered the Pass of Hu Lao. The various lords each led their armies inside.

Here is the translation:

Sun Jian raced toward洛阳 (Luoyang). Gazing into the distance, he saw flames shooting into the sky and black smoke blanketing the ground. For two or three hundred li, there were neither fowl nor dog, neither man nor smoke. Jian first dispatched troops to put out the fires, then ordered the various lords to encamp their armies on the barren land. Cao Cao went to see袁绍 (Yuan Shao) and said, "Now that Dong Zhuo has fled westward, we should take advantage of the moment and pursue him. Benchu, why do you keep your troops idle?" Shao replied, "The soldiers are exhausted. Advancing would likely bring no benefit." Cao said, "Dong Zhuo has burned the palaces and abducted the Son of Heaven. The realm is shaken, and the people do not know where to turn. This is the moment Heaven would have him destroyed—one battle and the empire is settled. Why do the lords hesitate and refuse to advance?" All the lords said they should not act rashly. Cao Cao flew into a rage and said, "These wretched boys are not worth plotting with!" He then led over ten thousand troops of his own, with Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, and raced after Dong Zhuo through the night.

Dong Zhuo's party reached the area of荥阳 (Xingyang). The Prefect, Xu Rong, came out to meet them. Li Ru said, "The Chancellor has just abandoned Luoyang; we must beware of pursuing troops. Have Xu Rong conceal his soldiers beside the mountain hollows outside Xingyang's walls. If enemy troops come in pursuit, let them pass through entirely. Wait until we have defeated them here, then cut off their retreat and attack. That will make those who come later dare not pursue further." Dong Zhuo followed this plan and also ordered Lü Bu to lead elite troops to guard the rear. As Lü Bu was marching along, Cao Cao's army caught up with them. Lü Bu laughed loudly and said, "Just as Li Ru predicted!" He drew up his forces. Cao Cao rode forward and shouted, "Rebel villain! You have abducted the Son of Heaven and driven the common people into exile—where do you think you are going?" Lü Bu cursed, "Faithless coward, how dare you speak so recklessly!" Xiahou Dun leveled his spear and charged straight at Lü Bu. After only a few exchanges, Li Jue led a force in from the left, and Cao Cao hastily ordered Xiahou Yuan to meet them. Then shouts rose on the right as Guo Si's army attacked, and Cao Cao urgently ordered Cao Ren to engage them. The three columns of troops were unstoppable. Xiahou Dun could not hold off Lü Bu and galloped back to his lines. Lü Bu led his armored cavalry in pursuit, and Cao Cao's army was routed. They fled back toward Xingyang. They reached the foot of a barren mountain; it was about the second watch, and the moon was bright as day. Cao Cao had just begun gathering his remaining troops.

He was about to set up cookfires and prepare a meal when shouts rose on all sides—Xu Rong's hidden soldiers emerged in full force. Cao Cao hastily spurred his horse and fled for his life. He ran straight into Xu Rong and turned to flee. Rong fitted an arrow and shot Cao Cao in the shoulder. Cao Cao fled with the arrow still in him and rounded a hillside. Two soldiers lay hidden in the grass. Seeing Cao Cao's horse approaching, they thrust their spears together, and Cao Cao's horse was struck and fell. Cao Cao tumbled from his mount and was seized by the two men. Then a general came galloping up, his sword flashing as he cut down the two foot soldiers, then dismounted and rescued Cao Cao. Cao Cao looked and saw it was Cao Hong. Cao Cao said, "I shall die here, good brother—you must flee quickly!" Hong said, "My lord, mount the horse at once! I will go on foot." Cao Cao said, "If the enemy troops catch up, what will you do?" Hong said, "The world can do without Hong, but not without you, my lord." Cao Cao said, "If I live again, it will be through your strength." Cao Cao mounted the horse. Hong stripped off his armor and followed on foot, dragging his saber. After traveling until about the fourth watch, they came upon a great river blocking the path ahead, while the shouts of pursuers drew nearer from behind. Cao Cao said, "This is the end—I cannot survive!" Hong quickly helped Cao Cao down from the horse, stripped off his robes and armor, and carried Cao Cao across the water on his back. They had barely reached the opposite bank when the pursuing troops arrived and began shooting arrows across the river. Cao Cao fled, soaked through. By the time dawn broke, they had traveled another thirty-plus li and stopped to rest briefly at the foot of an earthen hill. Suddenly shouts rose and a band of horsemen came in pursuit—it was Xu Rong, who had crossed the river upstream to chase them.

As Cao Cao was in the midst of his panic, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan arrived with a score of riders, shouting, "Xu Rong, do not harm our lord!" Xu Rong turned and charged at Xiahou Dun, who leveled his spear to meet him. After several exchanges, Dun pierced Xu Rong from his horse and scattered the remaining soldiers. Soon after, Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Yue Jin each led their troops in search and found Cao Cao. Their grief and joy mingled together. They gathered the remaining soldiers—over five hundred in all—and returned together to河内 (Henei). Dong Zhuo's forces continued on to长安 (Chang'an).

The various lords had divided their forces and encamped in Luoyang. Sun Jian put out the remaining fires in the palace and encamped within the city, pitching his tent on the foundation of the建章 Hall (Jianzhang Dian). Jian ordered his soldiers to clear away the rubble from the palaces. All the imperial tombs that Dong Zhuo had excavated were sealed shut again. On the foundation of the Grand Ancestral Temple, he hastily erected three rooms and invited the various lords to set up the spirit tablets of the former emperors and offer sacrifice with the full ritual of an ox, a sheep, and a pig. When the sacrifice was complete, they all dispersed. Jian returned to his camp. That night, the stars and the moon shone together in brilliant light. He sat in his armor with his sword drawn and gazed up at the heavens. He saw a vast white vapor in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure and sighed, "The Emperor's star is dim. A treacherous minister brings chaos to the state; the common people are plunged into misery, and the capital lies empty!" As he spoke, tears fell unbidden. A soldier standing nearby pointed and said, "South of the hall, a five-colored radiance rises from within a well." Jian ordered the soldier to light a torch and descend into the well to retrieve it. They brought up the corpse of a woman. Although much time had passed, the body had not decayed. She was dressed in palace attire, and around her neck was a brocade pouch. When they opened it, they found a small vermilion casket locked with a golden clasp. They opened it and found a jade seal: four square inches in size, carved on top with five dragons intertwined. One corner was missing and had been filled in with gold. On it were eight seal-script characters: "Received the Mandate from Heaven, Long Life and Eternal Prosperity."

Having obtained the seal, Sun Jian consulted Cheng Pu. Cheng Pu said, "This is the Imperial Seal of State. The jade was the one Bianhe found beneath Mount Jing, where he saw a phoenix perched on a stone, and presented it to King Wen of Chu. When it was cut open, jade was indeed found. In the twenty-sixth year of the Qin dynasty, the jade workers carved it into a seal, and Li Si inscribed these eight characters upon it. In the twenty-eighth year, the First Emperor traveled to Dongting Lake, where great winds and waves arose and the boat was about to capsize. He hastily cast the jade seal into the lake, and then the storm ceased. In the thirty-sixth year, the First Emperor traveled to Huayin, where a man bearing the seal blocked the road and said to his followers, 'Take this and return it to the Ancestral Dragon.' With these words, he vanished. This seal returned to Qin. The following year, the First Emperor died. Later, Ziying presented the jade seal to Emperor Gaozu of Han. Afterward, when Wang Mang usurped the throne, the Grand Empress Dowager struck Wang Xun and Su Xian with the seal, breaking off one corner, which was then repaired with gold. Emperor Guangwu obtained this treasure at Yiyang, and it has been passed down to the present day. Recently I have heard that the Ten Eunuchs caused chaos and abducted the Young Emperor to Beimang. Upon returning to the palace, this treasure was lost. Now Heaven has bestowed it upon you, my lord—surely this signifies that you are destined to ascend to the imperial throne. This place cannot be lingered in for long. You should return quickly to Jiangdong and plan great affairs elsewhere." Jian said, "Your words coincide exactly with my own thoughts. Tomorrow I shall feign illness and take my leave." Having settled upon this plan, they secretly instructed the soldiers that none of it must be leaked.

Now there happened to be one soldier in the ranks who was a fellow townsman of Yuan Shao. He wished to use this as a means to advance himself, so he stole out of the camp that very night and went to report to Yuan Shao. Shao rewarded him and kept him secretly in his army. The next day, Sun Jian came to take his leave of Yuan Shao, saying, "I have contracted a minor ailment and wish to return to Changsha. I have come especially to bid you farewell." Shao smiled and said, "I know that your ailment is caused by the Imperial Seal of State." Jian turned pale and said, "Whence comes such talk?" Shao said, "We have raised an army to attack the rebels and rid the state of harm. The jade seal is a treasure of the imperial court. Since you have obtained it, you should present it before all and leave it with the alliance lord. After we have executed Dong Zhuo, it shall be returned to the imperial court. Now you hide it and depart—what is your intention?" Jian said, "By what reason would the seal be in my possession?" Shao said, "What became of the object from the well in the Jianzhang Palace?" Jian said, "I never had it. Why do you force this upon me?" Shao said, "Produce it quickly, lest you bring disaster upon yourself." Jian pointed to the sky and swore, "If I have indeed obtained this treasure and concealed it secretly, may I not meet a good end in days to come, but die beneath sword and arrow!" The various lords said, "Since Wentai has sworn such an oath, surely he does not have it." Shao summoned the soldier and asked, "Was this man present when you drew it from the well?" Jian flew into a rage, drew his sword, and would have executed that soldier. Shao also drew his sword and said, "If you execute this soldier, you are insulting me!" Behind Shao, Yan Liang and Wen Chou both drew their swords. Behind Jian, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang also grasped their blades. The various lords together restrained them. Jian then mounted his horse, struck camp, and departed from Luoyang. Shao was furious. He wrote a letter and sent a trusted aide by night to Jing Province, delivering it to Governor Liu Biao, instructing him to intercept and seize it along the road.

The next day, it was reported that Cao Cao had pursued Dong Zhuo and fought at Xingyang, where he had been utterly defeated and returned. Shao had him escorted to the camp, where he gathered the lords and set out wine to console Cao Cao. During the banquet, Cao Cao sighed and said, "When I first raised this righteous cause to rid the state of rebels, you all, my lords, came forth in the name of justice. My original intention was to have Benchu lead the forces of Henan to approach Mengjin and Suo枣; for you all to defend Chenggao firmly, occupy Aocang, seal off Huanyuan and Dagu, and control the strategic passes; for Gonglu to lead the army of Nanyang to station at Dan and Xi, enter the Wu Pass, and thereby震慑 the Three Adjacent Regions—all digging deep moats and building high ramparts, not engaging in battle, but adding to the疑兵, demonstrating the situation to the realm, so that by following the righteous and punishing the rebellious, victory could be achieved at once. Now you hesitate and do not advance, greatly disappointing the hopes of the realm. I am privately ashamed of this!" Shao and the others had no reply. After the banquet dispersed, Cao Cao saw that Shao and the others each harbored private intentions and judged that nothing could be accomplished. He led his own army and departed for Yangzhou. Gongsun Zan said to Xuande, Guan, and Zhang, "Yuan Shao is incapable of achievement. Before long, there will surely be a change. Let us return." They accordingly struck camp and marched north. Upon arriving at Pingyuan, he appointed Xuande as Chancellor of Pingyuan and went himself to garrison the ground and nurture his army. Liu Dai, Governor of Yanzhou, asked Qiao Mao, Grand Administrator of Dongjun, for grain. Mao declined and refused. Dai led his army in a sudden attack on Mao's camp, killed Qiao Mao, and absorbed all his troops. Seeing that the various leaders had each gone their separate ways, Yuan Shao led his army, struck camp, left Luoyang, and departed for Guandong.

Now the Governor of Jing Province was Liu Biao, whose courtesy name was Jingsheng, a native of Gaoping in Shanyang. He was of the imperial house of Han, and from his youth had been fond of forming friendships. He became the companion of seven distinguished scholars, and they were known at the time as the "Eight Heroes of Jiangxia." The seven were: Chen Xiang of Runan, courtesy name Zhonglin; Fan Pang of the same commandery, courtesy name Mengbo; Kong Yu of the State of Lu, courtesy name Shiyuan; Fan Kang of Bohai, courtesy name Zhongzhen; Tan Fu of Shanyang, courtesy name Wenyou; Zhang Jian of the same commandery, courtesy name Yuanjie; and Cen Zhuo of Nanyang, courtesy name Gongxiao. Liu Biao had these seven as his friends. He was also assisted by Kuai Liang and Kuai Yue of Yandan, and Cai Mao of Xiangyang.

When Liu Biao read Yuan Shao's letter, he ordered Kuai Yue and Cai Mao to lead ten thousand troops to intercept Sun Jian. Sun Jian's army had just arrived when Kuai Yue drew up his battle line and rode to the front.

Sun Jian called out, "Why does Kuai Yidu lead troops to block my way?"

Kuai Yue replied, "Since you are a servant of the Han, how dare you secretly hide the great seal of the realm? Leave it behind at once, and you may go free!"

Sun Jian flew into a rage and ordered Huang Gai to go forth to battle. Cai Mao flourished his sword and came forward to meet him. After a few bouts, Huang Gai swung his whip and struck Cai Mao squarely on his breastplate. Cai Mao turned and fled, and Sun Jian pressed forward, driving his army across the border.

Suddenly the sound of gongs and drums rose from behind the mountains, and Liu Biao himself arrived leading his army. Sun Jian bowed from horseback and said, "Why does Jingsheng believe Yuan Shao's letter and threaten a neighboring province?"

Liu Biao replied, "You have hidden the Imperial Seal. Do you intend to rebel?"

Sun Jian declared, "If I possess such a thing, may I die beneath sword and arrow!"

Liu Biao said, "If you want me to believe you, let me search through your baggage."

Sun Jian was furious. "By what authority do you dare to despise me?" He was about to give battle when Liu Biao withdrew. Sun Jian urged his horse in pursuit, but from the hills on both sides hidden troops sprang up, while from behind Kuai Yue and Cai Mao came up with their forces. Sun Jian was surrounded in the very center of the trap. Truly it was said:

The Seal of Jade was won, yet served no use;

Because of this great prize, the swords were loosed.

How Sun Jian managed to escape will be told in the next chapter.