Zhāng Miǎo 張邈 [Mèngzhuó 孟卓]

Chén Dēng 陳登 [Yuánlōng 元龍]

Lǚ Bù, appellation Fèngxiān, was a Wǔyuán prefecture Jiǔyuán man. For his bravery and martial ability, he received appointment from Bìng Province, the Inspector Dīng Yuán was Cavalry Commandant, stationed at Hénèi, and appointed Bù as his Registrar, and showed him great trust and favor. When Líng-dì ended [189] [Dīng] Yuán led his troops to Luòyáng. (1) He plotted with Hé Jìn to kill all the Yellow Gate [eunuchs], and was appointed Metal Mace Bearer.

呂布字奉先，五原郡九原人也。以驍武給并州刺史丁原為騎都尉，屯河內，以布為主簿，大見親待。靈帝崩，原將兵詣洛陽。〔一〕與何進謀誅諸黃門，拜執金吾。

• (1) Yīngxióngjì states: [Dīng] Yuán styled Jiànyáng. Originally he came from a poor family, acted coarsely and roughly, had military valor, and was good at riding and shooting. He was appointed an official in Nán county, in receiving instructions he did not refuse difficult ones, and during emergencies and the pursuit of bandits he was always at the front. In known documents there were few officials employed like that.

〔一〕　英雄記曰：原子建陽。本出自寒家，為人麤略，有武勇，善騎射。為南縣吏，受使不辭難，有警急，追寇虜，輒在其前。裁知書，少有吏用。

[Hé] Jìn failed, Dǒng Zhuó entered the capital, intending to rebel, and desired to kill [Dīng] Yuán and take over his soldiers and army. [Dǒng] Zhuó, because Bù was trusted by [Dīng] Yuán, enticed Bù and ordered him to kill [Dīng] Yuán. Bù beheaded [Dīng] Yuán and presented the head to [Dǒng] Zhuó, and [Dǒng] Zhuó appointed Bù as Cavalry Commandant, deeply favored and trusted him, and they swore to act as father and son.

進敗，董卓入京都，將為亂，欲殺原，并其兵眾。卓以布見信于原，誘布令殺原。布斬原首詣卓，卓以布為騎都尉，甚愛信之，誓為父子。

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Bù was adept with bow and horse, his bodily strength surpassed other men, and he was called Fēi-Jiāng “Flying General.” He was promoted to Internal Cadet-General and given fief as marquis of a capital precinct. [Dǒng] Zhuó because he treated men without courtesy was concerned others were plotting against him, so wherever he went he always has Bù as his bodyguard. However, [Dǒng] Zhuó by nature was stubborn and mean, angering him was not hard, and once due to a minor frustration he grabbed a hand axe and threw it at Bù. Bù was strong and fast and dodged it, (1) and apologized to [Dǒng] Zhuó, and [Dǒng] Zhuó also settled down. Because of this he secretly hated [Dǒng] Zhuó.

布便弓馬，膂力過人，號為飛將。稍遷至中郎將，封都亭侯。卓自以遇人無禮，恐人謀己，行止常以布自衛。然卓性剛而褊，忿不思難，嘗小失意，拔手戟擲布。布拳捷避之，〔一〕為卓顧謝，卓意亦解。由是陰怨卓。

• (1) The Shī[jīng] states: “[They have] no strength and no courage, [yet they] rear the steps of disorder.” Commentary says: “Strength means powerful.”

〔一〕　詩曰：「無拳無勇，職為亂階。」注：「拳，力也。」

[Dǒng] Zhuó often sent Bù to guard the inner gates, and Bù and one of [Dǒng] Zhuó’s attendant maidservants had illicit relations. He was afraid the affair would be discovered and his heart could not be calm.

卓常使布守中閤，布與卓侍婢私通，恐事發覺，心不自安。

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Before this, Excellency over the Masses Wáng Yǔn, because Bù was powerful and vigorous in his province, treated him very well. Later Bù visited [Wáng] Yǔn, and told how [Dǒng] Zhuó had almost killed him. At the time [Wáng] Yǔn and Deputy-Director Shìsūn Ruì were secretly planning to kill [Dǒng] Zhuó, and he informed Bù to have him serve as their inside agent. Bù said: “But we are like father and son!”

先是，司徒王允以布州里壯健，厚接納之。後布詣允，陳卓幾見殺狀。時允與僕射士孫瑞密謀誅卓，是以告布使為內應。布曰：「奈如父子何！」

[Wáng] Yǔn said: “You sir are surnamed Lǚ, and are not his bone and flesh relative. Now you are always afraid he will kill you. How can you be said to be father and son?” Bù therefore agreed with them, and with his own hand and blade assassinated [Dǒng] Zhuó. The story is in [Dǒng] Zhuó’s biography [SGZ 6].

允曰：「君自姓呂，本非骨肉。今憂死不暇，何謂父子？」布遂許之，手刃刺卓。語在卓傳。

[Wáng] Yǔn appointed Bù as General Exerting Martial authority, with Acting Staff, ceremony equal to the Three Excellencies, and advance in fief to Marquis of Wēn, and together they controlled the Court and government. Since after Bù had killed [Dǒng] Zhuó, he was suspicious and hateful of the Liáng Province men, and the Liáng Province men all hated him. Because of this Lǐ Jué and others banded together and returned to attack Cháng’ān city. (1)

允以布為（奮威）〔奮武〕將軍，假節，儀比三司，進封溫侯，共秉朝政。布自殺卓後，畏惡涼州人，涼州人皆怨。由是李傕等遂相結還攻長安城。〔一〕

• (1) Yīngxióngjì states: Guō Sì was north of the city. Bù opened the city gates, led troops to face [Guō] Sì, and said: “Let us both withdraw troops, and ourselves personally decide victory.” [Guō] Sì and Bù then dueled, and Bù with a spear stabbed [Guō] Sì. Riders behind [Guō] Sì then came forward to rescue [Guō] Sì. [Guō] Sì and Bù then each withdrew.

〔一〕　英雄記曰：郭汜在城北。布開城門，將兵就汜，言「且卻兵，但身決勝負」。汜、布乃獨共對戰，布以矛刺中汜，汜後騎遂前救汜，汜、布遂各兩罷。

Bù could not resist them, and [Lǐ] Jué and the rest entered Cháng’ān. Sixty days after [Dǒng] Zhuó died, Bù was already defeated. (2) He led several hundred riders through Wǔ pass and sought to join Yuán Shù.

布不能拒，傕等遂入長安。卓死後六旬，布亦敗。〔二〕將數百騎出武關，欲詣袁術。

• (2) Your Servant Sōngzhī comments that Yīngxióngjì states that according to records, Bù on the fourth moon twenty-third day killed Zhuó, and on the sixth moon first day was defeated and fled. At that time there was no intercalary moon, so it was less than sixty days.

〔二〕　臣松之案英雄記曰：諸書，布以四月二十三日殺卓，六月一日敗走，時又無閏，不及六旬。

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Bù because he killed [Dǒng]] Zhuó believed he had avenged [Yuán] Shù [whose kinsmen had been killed by Dǒng Zhuó] and expected to receive good treatment from him. [Yuán] Shù detested his repeated betrayals and refused and would not receive him. He went north to join Yuán Shào. [Yuán] Shào and Bù attacked Zhāng Yān at Chángshān. [Zhāng] Yān had elite troops of over ten thousand and cavalry of several thousand. Bù had an excellent horse called Chìtù “Red Hare.” (1) He with his close followers Chéng Lián, Wèi Yuè, and others always led charges to break enemy lines, and so defeated [Zhāng] Yān’s army, but he sought profit for his troops and army, and his officers and soldiers robbed and plundered, so [Yuán] Shào resented him.

布自以殺卓為術報讎，欲以德之。術惡其反覆，拒而不受。北詣袁紹，紹與布擊張燕于常山。燕精兵萬餘，騎數千。布有良馬曰赤兔。〔一〕常與其親近成廉、魏越等陷鋒突陳，遂破燕軍。而求益兵眾，將士鈔掠，紹患忌之。

• (1) Cáománzhuàn states: At the time people had a saying: “Among men there is Lǚ Bù. Among horses there is Chìtù.”

Bù became aware of these feelings, so he asked to leave [Yuán] Shào. [Yuán] Shào was afraid [Lǚ Bù] would return and do him harm, so he sent strong troops in the night to surprise and kill Bù, but was unsuccessful. After the affair was exposed, Bù fled to Hénèi (2), and joined Zhāng Yáng.

布覺其意，從紹求去。紹恐還為己害，遣壯士夜掩殺布，不獲。事露，布走河內，〔二〕與張楊合。

• (2) Yīngxióngjì states: Bù because of his achievements in helping the Yuán was arrogant and dismissive to [Yuán] Shào’s subordinate officers, and believed he should himself receive some government appointment, and that he was not honored enough. Bù asked to return to Luò, and [Yuán] Shào took Acting authority to appoint Bù as Colonel-Director of Retainers. Outside [Yuán Shào] said he would send him off, but inside he wished to kill Bù. The next day before the departure, [Yuán] Shào sent thirty armored soldiers, saying they would escort Bù. Bù had them stop outside his tent, and sent people to play drums and strings inside as a trick. [Yuán] Shào’s soldiers laid down. Bù soon left his tent and escaped, and the soldiers did not notice. In the middle of the night the soldiers rose up and chopped up Bù’s bed and sheets, and reported [Lǚ Bù] was already dead. The next day, [Yuán] Shào investigated, and learned Bù was still alive, so he closed the city gates. Bù thereupon escaped and left.

〔二〕　英雄記曰：布自以有功于袁氏，輕傲紹下諸將，以為擅相署置，不足貴也。布求還洛，紹假布領司隸校尉。外言當遣，內欲殺布。明日當發，紹遣甲士三十人，辭以送布。布使止于帳側，偽使人于帳中鼓箏。紹兵臥，布無何出帳去，而兵不覺。夜半兵起，亂斫布床被，謂為已死。明日，紹訊問，知布尚在，乃閉城門。布遂引去。

[Yuán] Shào ordered his army to pursue him, but they were all afraid of Bù, and none dared approach. (3)

紹令眾追之，皆畏布，莫敢逼近者。〔三〕

• (3) Yīngxióngjì states: [Zhāng] Yáng and his personal retainers and officers all received summons from [Lǐ] Jué and [Guō] Sì to join together and plot against Bù. Bù heard this, and said to [Zhāng] Yáng: “You and I are of the same province. If you kill me, you will not benefit. It would be better to sell me to [Guō] Sì and [Lǐ] Jué for favor and rewards.” [Zhāng] Yáng therefore outwardly pretended to agree to [Guō] Sì and [Lǐ] Jué, but inwardly he actually protected Bù. [Guō] Sì and [Lǐ] Jué resented him, and instead sent down a written Imperial Order to appoint Bù as Administrator of Yǐngchuān.

〔三〕　英雄記曰：楊及部曲諸將，皆受傕、汜購募，共圖布。布聞之，謂楊曰：「布，卿州里也。卿殺布，於卿弱。不如賣布，可極得汜、傕爵寵。」楊於是外許汜、傕，內實保護布。汜、傕患之，更下大封詔書，以布為潁川太守。

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Zhāng Miǎo, appellation Mèngzhuó, was a Dōngpíng Shòuzhāng man. When young he had reputation as a adventurer, roused up the poor and rescued the needy, completely depleting his family resources, so many warriors joined him. Tàizǔ [Cáo Cāo] and Yuán Shào were both friends with [Zhāng] Miǎo. He was recruited for public office, and for his high merits appointed him Cavalry Commandant, then promoted to Administrator of Chénliú. In the chaos of Dǒng Zhuó [189], Tàizǔ and [Zhāng] Miǎo together first raised righteous troops. At the Battle of Biàn river, [Zhāng] Miǎo sent Wèi Zī to lead troops to follow Tàizǔ.

張邈字孟卓，東平壽張人也。少以俠聞，振窮救急，傾家無愛，士多歸之。太祖、袁紹皆與邈友。辟公府，以高第拜騎都尉，遷陳留太守。董卓之亂，太祖與邈首舉義兵。汴水之戰，邈遣衛茲將兵隨太祖。

When Yuán Shào became the Alliance Leader, he acted arrogantly, and [Zhāng] Miǎo criticized and reproached [Yuán] Shào. [Yuán] Shào ordered Tàizǔ to kill [Zhāng] Miǎo, but Tàizǔ would not obey, reproaching Shào: “Mèngzhuó is our close friend, and whether right or wrong we should tolerate him. Now when the world Under Heaven is not yet settled, we should not harm one another.” [Zhāng] Miǎo learned of this and increased his regard for Tàizǔ. When Tàizǔ attacked Táo Qiān, he ordered his family: “If I do not return, you may rely on Mèngzhuó.” Later he returned and met [Zhāng] Miǎo, and they shed tears. Their closeness was like this.

袁紹既為盟主，有驕矜色，邈正議責紹。紹使太祖殺邈，太祖不聽，責紹曰：「孟卓，親友也，是非當容之。今天下未定，不宜自相危也。」邈知之，益德太祖。太祖之征陶謙，敕家曰；「我若不還，往依孟卓。」後還，見邈，垂泣相對。其親如此。

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Lǚ Bù left Yuán Shào to join Zhāng Yáng, and along the way he met [Zhāng] Miǎo, and when they departed they grasped hands and together swore an oath [of friendship]. [Yuán] Shào heard of this and greatly hated it. [Zhāng] Miǎo feared that Tàizǔ would eventually obey [Yuán] Shào and attack him, so his heart could not be at calm.

呂布之拾袁紹從張楊也，過邈臨別，把手共誓。紹聞之，大恨。邈畏太祖終為紹擊己也，心不自安。

Xīngpíng first year [194] Tàizǔ returned to attack [Táo] Qiān. [Zhāng] Miǎo’s younger brother [Zhāng] Chāo with Tàizǔ’s officer Chén Gōng, Internal Cadet Advisor Xǔ Sì, and Wáng Kǎi all joined together to rebel against Tàizǔ. [Chén] Gōng said to [Zhāng] Miǎo: “Now heroes are all rising up, and the world Under Heaven is divided and in ruins. You sir command armies across a thousand lǐ in a land open on all four sides to battle, wielding a sword and looking around, and can also be considered a hero among men, yet you instead are controlled by another [Tàizǔ]. Is this not a disgrace! Now the provincial army is away on an eastern campaign [against Táo Qiān], so this place has been emptied. Lǚ Bù is a powerful warrior, good in battle and unstoppable in his advance. If you seize authority and welcome him, you can together govern Yǎn Province, observe the situation in the world Under Heaven, and wait for changes in opportunity. This is also the time to dominate all.” [Zhāng] Miǎo agreed with this.

興平元年，太祖復征謙，邈弟超，與太祖將陳宮、從事中郎許汜、王楷共謀叛太祖。宮說邈曰：「今雄傑並起，天下分崩，君以千里之眾，當四戰之地，撫劍顧眄，亦足以為人豪，而反制于人，不以鄙乎！今州軍東征，其處空虛，呂布壯士，善戰無前，若權迎之，共牧兗州，觀天下形勢，俟時事之變通，此亦縱橫之一時也。」邈從之。

Tàizǔ had previously sent [Chén] Gōng to command the troops left to station at Dōng-jùn, and so [Chén Gōng] led his army to invite Bù east to become Governor of Yǎn Province, and [Lǚ Bù] occupied Púyáng. All the prefectures and counties submitted, and only Juànchéng, Dōng’ē, and Fàn remained loyal to Tàizǔ. Tàizǔ led his army back and returned, and fought with Bù at Púyáng. Tàizǔ‘s army was unsuccessful, and they were in a stalemate for over a hundred days. At that time there was drought, locusts, and little grain, and the common people ate each other. Bù went east to camp at Shānyáng. During the second year [195] Tàizǔ recaptured all the cities [of Yǎn Province], and attacked and defeated Bù at Jùyě. Bù went east and joined Liú Bèi. (1)

太祖初使宮將兵留屯東郡，遂以其眾東迎布為兗州牧，據濮陽。郡縣皆應，唯鄄城、東阿、范為太祖守。太祖引軍還，與布戰於濮陽，太祖軍不利，相持百餘日。是時歲旱、蟲蝗、少穀，百姓相食，布東屯山陽。二年間，太祖乃盡復收諸城，擊破布于鉅野。布東奔劉備。〔一〕

• (1) Yīngxióngjì states: Bù met [Liú] Bèi, and was deeply respectful to him, saying to [Liú] Bèi: “You and I are both men from the frontier. I saw soldiers rising up east of the Passes, and so wished to execute Dǒng Zhuó. I killed [Dǒng] Zhuó and went out east, but of the officers east of the Passes there were none who supported me. They all sought to kill me and that is all.” He invited [Liú] Bèi into his own tent and sit on his wife’s bed, and ordered his wife to pay respects. They poured wine and ate and drank, and he called [Liú] Bèi his younger brother. [Liú] Bèi thought Bù’s speech was inappropriate, and outside he pretended to agree but inside he was displeased.

〔一〕　英雄記曰：布見備，甚敬之，謂備曰：「我與卿同邊地人也。布見關東起兵，欲誅董卓。布殺卓東出，關東諸將無安布者，皆欲殺布耳。」請備于帳中坐婦床上，令婦向拜，酌酒飲食，名備為弟。備見布語言無常，外然之而內不說。

[Zhāng] Miǎo followed Bù, leaving [his brother Zhāng] Chāo to command the family followers camped at Yōngqiū. Tàizǔ attacked and besieged it for several months, and slaughtered it, beheading [Zhāng] Chāo and his family. [Zhāng] Miǎo went to Yuán Shù to ask for troops to rescue them but before he arrived he was killed by his own troops. (2)

邈從布，留超將家屬屯雍丘。太祖攻圍數月，屠之，斬超及其家。邈詣袁術請救未至，自為其兵所殺。〔二〕

• (2) Xiàn-dì Chūnqiū states: Yuán Shù discussed claiming Imperial title. [Zhāng] Miǎo said to Shù: “Hàn reigns by the virtue of fire. It ended [by usurpation of Wáng Mǎng 9-23] but was restored [by Guāng-Wǔ 25-57]. Its beneficial virtue is abundant and flows, and there was born an enlightened lord. You my lord occupy a critical central role. Entering you receive the benefit of the upper place [Imperial throne], and going you are looked up to by the masses. Even Huá [Wúhài] and Huò [Guāng] could not reach this height, and the deepest springs cannot match this importance. You can be said to be towering and imposing, and could never turn to treachery. How can you abandon all this and wish to usurp? I fear you fortune will not go so far, and disaster shall soon overcome your line. Zhuāng Zhōu spoke of how someone prepared to sacrifice an ox, raised it for many years, dressed in embroidery, grasped the sacrificial knife, and entered the temple door, but then at that time [for sacrifice], the sacrificial calf could not be found.”
• According to the base biography, [Zhāng] Miǎo was going to [Yuán] Shù, but before he arrived he died. Yet here it says he criticized the idea of taking Imperial title. It is unclear which is correct.

〔二〕　獻帝春秋曰：袁術議稱尊號，邈謂術曰：「漢據火德，絕而復揚，德澤豐流，誕生明公。公居軸處中，入則享于上席，出則為眾目之所屬，華、霍不能增其高，淵泉不能同其量，可謂巍巍蕩蕩，無與為貳。何為捨此而欲稱制？恐福不盈眥，禍將溢世。莊周之稱郊祭犧牛，養飼經年，衣以文繡，宰執鸞刀，以入廟門，當此之時，求為孤犢不可得也！」按本傳，邈詣術，未至而死。而此云諫稱尊號，未詳孰是。

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[Liú] Bèi went east to attack [Yuán] Shù. Bù attacked and captured Xiàpī. [Liú] Bèi returned and surrendered to Bù. Bù sent [Liú] Bèi to garrison Xiǎopèi. Bù declared himself Inspector of Xú Province. (1)

備東擊術，布襲取下邳，備還歸布。布遣備屯小沛。布自稱徐州刺史。〔一〕

• (1) Yīngxióngjì states: When Bù first entered Xú Province, he wrote a letter to Yuán Shù. [Yuán] Shù sent a reply letter: “Previously Dǒng Zhuó created disaster, destroyed the Imperial Household, and brought disaster and harm to my family. I raised troops east of the Passes, but could not kill and destroy [Dǒng] Zhuó. You General executed [Dǒng] Zhuó and sent his head, and so swept away my shame and disgrace, and allowed me to look with clear eyes at the present situation, and in life or death I will not be worthy of it. This was your first achievement. Previously, General Jīn Yuánxiū faced Yǎn Province, but on the way to Fēngqiū he was by that rebel Cáo Cāo repelled and defeated, forced to wander and flee, and was almost destroyed. You General defeated Yǎn Province, and I can again with clear eyes see far and wide. This was your second achievement. Since I was born, I had never heard of this Liú Bèi, but [Liú] Bèi raised troops and fought with me. I relied on your authority and prestige, General, and so was able to defeat [Liú] Bèi. This was your third achievement. You General have done three great achievements for me, and though I am unworthy, I shall respect you in life or death. General, you have for successive years fought in battle, and your army’s food supplies are bitterly few. Now I send grain of two hundred thousand hú, to meet you on the road, and not only this, but with horse relay stations send this message: if among your weapons and arms there are any deficiencies, great or small you need only ask.” Bù received the letter and was greatly pleased, and so he went to [capture] Xiàpī.
• Diǎnlüè states Yuánxiū was named Shàng, a man of Jīngzhào. [Jīn] Shàng with Wéi Xiūfǔ and Dìwǔ Xiūjù of the same prefecture were all famous, and called the Three Xiū [all had xiū in their appellations]. Shàng was previously appointed by Xiàn-dì as Inspector of Yǎn Province. He went east, but Tàizǔ was already governing Yǎn Province. Shàng went south and joined Yuán Shù. When [Yuán] Shù usurped Imperial title, he wished to appoint Shàng as his Grand Commandant, but he did not dare reply, and so secretly sent a man to mock him. Shàng did not act wronged, and Shù did not dare act. In the beginning of Jiàn’ān [196-220], Shàng tried to escape back, and was killed by [Yuán] Shù. After this Shàng and Grand Tutor Mǎ Rìdì were both mourned in the capital. Heaven’s Son praised Shàng as a loyal martyr, sighed for him, and sent an Imperial Order for the ministers to all offer sacrifices, and appointed [Jīn Shàng’s] son Wěi as Palace Gentleman, but Rìdì did not receive the same honors.
• Yīngxióngjì states: Bù on water and land went down[stream] eastward, and the army arrived forty lǐ west of Xiàpī. [Liú] Bèi’s Internal Cadet-General Xǔ Dān of Dānyáng in the night sent Major Zhāng Kuáng to welcome Bù, saying: “Zhāng [Fēi] Yìdé and the Chancellor of Xiàpī Cáo Bào fought. [Zhāng] Yìdé killed Bào, and inside the city is utter chaos and no faith. Our Dānyáng troops have a thousand men camped west within the white city gate. When they heard that you, General, have come east, large and small they were roused up as if reborn. General, if your troops go to the city’s west gate, the Dānyáng army will then open the gate and let you inside.” Bù therefore in the night advanced, and in the morning arrived beneath the city walls. When the day was bright, the Dānyáng troops all opened the gates to welcome Bù’s troops inside. Bù sat atop the gate, and his infantry and cavalry set fires, and greatly defeated [Zhāng] Yìdé’s troops, captured [Liú] Bèi’s wife and children, military supplies, and all the families of [Liú Bèi’s] personal retainers and officers and soldiers. Jiàn’ān first year [196] sixth moon in the middle of the night, Bù’s officer Hǎo Méng of Hénèi rebelled, and led troops into where Bù had established his Xiàpī government office. They came outside the side doors of the office hall, and together shouted and attacked the side door, but the side door was strong and they could not enter. Bù did not know who was rebelling, and could only lead his wife bareheaded and undressed and go through the lavatory and climb over the walls to escape. They went to the camp of Commander Gāo Shùn, and went over [Gāo] Shùn’s gates to enter. [Gāo] Shùn asked: “General did you not notice anything?” Bù said: “There was the sound of a Hénèi accent.” [Gāo] Shùn said: “It is Hǎo Méng.” [Gāo] Shùn immediately led troops into the office, and with bows and crossbows together shot [Hǎo] Méng’s army. [Hǎo] Méng’s army fled in confusion, and in the daylight returned to their former camp. [Hǎo] Méng’s officer Cáo Xìng rebelled and fought with him. [Hǎo] Méng stabbed [Cáo] Xìng, and [Cáo] Xìng chopped off [Hǎo] Méng’s arm. [Gāo] Shùn chopped off [Hǎo] Méng’s head, and sent [Cáo] Xìng on a stretcher to Bù. Bù interrogated [Cáo] Xìng, who said: “[Hǎo] Méng was following Yuán Shù’s plot.” [Lǚ Bù asked] “Who were all the plotters?” Xìng said: “Chén Gōng was an accomplice.” At the time [Chén] Gōng was seated there, his face turned red, those near him watched him. Bù, because [Chén] Gōng was an important officer, did not investigate. [Cáo] Xìng said: “[Hǎo] Méng always because of this [plot] asked [me to join], but I said General Lǚ is a great officer with divine ability, and cannot be attacked, but was unaware that [Hǎo] Méng’s insanity could not be stopped.” Bù said to [Cáo] Xìng: “You are a great warrior!” and treated him well. The wound healed, and he was sent to pacify [Hǎo] Méng’s former camp and take command over those troops.

〔一〕　英雄記曰：布初入徐州，書與袁術。術報書曰：「昔董卓作亂，破壞王室，禍害術門戶，術舉兵關東，未能屠裂卓。將軍誅卓，送其頭首，為術掃滅讎恥，使術明目于當世，死生不愧，其功一也。昔將金元休向兗州，甫詣（封部）〔封丘〕，為曹操逆所拒破，流離迸走，幾至滅亡。將軍破兗州，術復明目於遐邇，其功二也。術生年已來，不聞天下有劉備，備乃舉兵與術對戰；術憑將軍威靈，得以破備，其功三也。將軍有三大功在術，術雖不敏，奉以生死。將軍連年攻戰，軍糧苦少，今送米二十萬斛，迎逢道路，非直此止，當駱驛復致；若兵器戰具，它所乏少，大小唯命。」布得書大喜，遂造下邳。典略曰：元休名尚，京兆人也。尚與同郡韋休甫、第五文休俱著名，號為三休。尚，獻帝初為兗州刺史，東之郡，而太祖已臨兗州。尚南依袁術。術僭號，欲以尚為太尉，不敢顯言，私使人諷之，尚無屈意，術亦不敢彊也。建安初，尚逃還，為術所害。其後尚喪與太傅馬日磾喪俱至京師，天子嘉尚忠烈，為之咨嗟，詔百官弔祭，拜子瑋郎中，而日磾不與焉。英雄記曰：布水陸東下，軍到下邳西四十里。備中郎將丹楊許耽夜遣司馬章誑來詣布，言「張益德與下邳相曹豹共爭，益德殺豹，城中大亂，不相信。丹楊兵有千人屯西白門城內，聞將軍來東，大小踊躍，如復更生。將軍兵向城西門，丹楊軍便開門內將軍矣」。布遂夜進，晨到城下。天明，丹楊兵悉開門內布兵。布于門上坐，步騎放火，大破益德兵，獲備妻子軍資及部曲將吏士家口。建安元年六月夜半時，布將河內郝萌反，將兵入布所治下邳府，詣廳事閤外，同聲大呼攻閤，閤堅不得入。布不知反者為誰，直牽婦，科頭袒衣，相將從溷上排壁出，詣都督高順營，直排順門入。順問：「將軍有所隱不？」布言「河內兒聲」。順言「此郝萌也」。順即嚴兵入府，弓弩並射萌眾；萌眾亂走，天明還故營。萌將曹性反萌，與對戰，萌刺傷性，性斫萌一臂。順斫萌首，床輿性，送詣布。布問性，言「萌受袁術謀。」「謀者悉誰？」性言「陳宮同謀。」時宮在坐上，面赤，傍人悉覺之。布以宮大將，不問也。性言「萌常以此問，性言呂將軍大將有神，不可擊也，不意萌狂惑不止。」布謂性曰：「卿健兒也！」善養視之。創愈，使安撫萌故營，領其眾。

[Yuán] Shù sent his officer Jǐ Líng and others with thirty thousand infantry and cavalry to attack [Liú] Bèi, and [Liú] Bèi asked for rescue from Bù. Bù’s officers said to Bù: “General, you have always wished to kill [Liú] Bèi. Now you can let [Yuán] Shù do it for you.”

術遣將紀靈等步騎三萬攻備，備求救于布。布諸將謂布曰：「將軍常欲殺備，今可假手於術。」

Bù said: “Not so. If [Yuán] Shù defeats [Liú] Bèi, then to the north he can connect with the officers in Tàishān, and I would be surrounded by [Yuán] Shù. I cannot but go to the rescue.” Then he gathered a thousand elite infantry and two hundred cavalry, and hurried to go to [Liú] Bèi. [Jǐ] Líng and the rest heard Bù had arrived, and all restrained their troops and did not dare return to the attack. Bù set up camp one lǐ southwest of Pèi, and sent invitations to [Jǐ] Líng and the rest, and [Jǐ] Líng and the rest also invited Bù and they ate and drank together.

布曰：「不然。術若破備，則北連太山諸將，吾為在術圍中，不得不救也。」便嚴步兵千、騎二百，馳往赴備。靈等聞布至，皆斂兵不敢復攻。布於沛西南一里安屯，遣鈴下請靈等，靈等亦請布共飲食。

Bù said to Líng and the rest: “[Liú Bèi] Xuándé is my younger brother. My younger brother has been surrounded by you gentlemen, and so I have come to help him. I by nature do not enjoy participating in quarrels, but I do enjoy resolving quarrels.”

布謂靈等曰：「玄德，布弟也。弟為諸君所困，故來救之。布性不喜合鬥，但喜解鬥耳。」

Bù ordered a gate attendant to at the center of the camp gate set up a halberd. Bù said: “Gentlemen, watch me shoot the halberd’s small blade. If I make this shot you gentlemen shall withdraw, but if I miss you may stay and settle your quarrel.”

布令門候于營門中舉一隻戟，布言：「諸君觀布射戟小支，一發中者諸君當解去，不中可留決鬥。」

Bù lifted his bow and shot the halberd, right in the center of the small blade. The officers were all startled and said, “General, you indeed have the authority of Heaven!” The next day they again had a celebration, and afterward each side withdrew.

布舉弓射戟，正中小支。諸將皆驚，言「將軍天威也」！明日復歡會，然後各罷。

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[Yuán] Shù wished to bind Bù to him as ally, and so sent his son to wed Bù’s daughter, and Bù permitted this. [Yuán] Shù sent as envoy Hán Yìn to inform of his usurpation of Imperial title to Bù, and also to request and bring back the girl. Chancellor of Pèi Chén Guī was concerned that when [Yuán] Shù and Bù completed their marriage alliance, then Xú and Yáng [provinces] would be joined by them and bring disaster to the state, and so he went to persuade Bù: “Excellency Cáo has welcomed Heaven’s Son and assists in the government of the state, his authority commands the age, and he shall soon campaign across the land within the Four Seas. General, you should plan to cooperate with him and seek to be as secure as Tài mountain. Now if you make marriage alliance with [Yuán] Shù, you will receive reputation for injustice in the world Under Heaven, and will certainly be as vulnerable as a pile of eggs.” Bù also resented that [Yuán] Shù had not accepted him earlier. His daughter was already on the road, but he he summoned her back and ended the marriage, and sent Hán Yìn in shackles [to the Imperial Court in Xǔ], who was beheaded in the Xǔ marketplace.

術欲結布為援，乃為子索布女，布許之。術遣使韓胤以僭號議告布，并求迎婦。沛相陳珪恐術、布成婚，則徐、揚合從，將為國難，於是往說布曰；「曹公奉迎天子，輔讚國政，威靈命世，將征四海，將軍宜與協同策謀，圖太山之安。今與術結婚，受天下不義之名，必有累卵之危。」布亦怨術初不己受也，女已在塗，追還絕婚，械送韓胤，梟首許市。

[Chén] Guī wished to send his son [Chén] Dēng to meet Tàizǔ, but Bù would not agree to send him. At that time an envoy arrived, appointed Bù as General of the Left. Bù was greatly pleased, and agreed to send [Chén] Dēng to convey his message of gratitude. (1)

珪欲使子登詣太祖，布不肯遣。會使者至，拜布左將軍。布大喜，即聽登往，并令奉章謝恩。〔一〕

• (1) Yīngxióngjì states: Previously, Heaven’s son was at Hédōng, and hand wrote a letter summon Bù to come receive him. Bù’s army had no livestock or accumulated food, and could not go, and so sent an envoy to present a letter. The Court appointed Bù as General Pacifying the East with fief as Marquis of Píngtáo. The envoy at the Shānyáng border lost the letter. Tàizǔ also hand wrote a letter praising and appreciating Bù, speaking of his efforts to welcome Heaven’s Son and intentions to settle the world Under Heaven, and also sent an Imperial Order to capture Gōngsūn Zàn, Yuán Shù, Hán Xiān, Yáng Fèng, and others. Bù was greatly pleased, and in return sent an envoy to present a letter to Heaven’s Son that said: “I your servant originally sought to welcome to welcome the Imperial Chariot, but knew Cáo Cāo was loyal and filial, and had welcomed the capital to establish at Xǔ. I your servant previously fought with Cāo, but now Cāo protects and supports Your Majesty. I your servant am an outer General, and wish to obey as a soldier, but am afraid I am under suspicion, and therefore await guiltily at Xúzhōu, and with a sense of propriety do not yet dare personally visit.” He answered Tàizǔ: “I am a man who committed a crime and deserved punishment, but by your hand was given appreciation and generously met praise and rewards. When I again receive Imperial Order to capture Yuán Shù and the rest, I will follow the command be be successful. Tàizǔ also sent Commandant Preparing Chariots Wáng Zé as envoy, to present an Imperial Order and bestow the seal as General Pacifying the East to promote Bù. Tàizǔ again hand wrote to Bù: “The Shānyáng garrison sends to you General the lost conferment. As the state lacks good metal, I from my own family took good metal to again fashion a seal. As the state lacks purple ribbons, I took my own girdle for a purple ribbon to show my intentions. General the envoy you sent was not good. Yuán Shù has proclaimed himself Heaven’s Son. General you must stop him, yet your envoy did not send a reply letter. The Court trusts you General. Again send up an envoy, to demonstrate your loyal and honest intentions.” Bù therefore sent Dēng to present his letter of thanks, and also present a good ribbon to answer Tàizǔ.

〔一〕　英雄記曰：初，天子在河東，有手筆版書召布來迎。布軍無畜積，不能自致，遣使上書。朝廷以布為平東將軍，封平陶侯。使人於山陽界亡失文字，太祖又手書厚加慰勞布，說起迎天子，當平定天下意，并詔書購捕公孫瓚、袁術、韓暹、楊奉等。布大喜，復遣使上書於天子曰：「臣本當迎大駕，知曹操忠孝，奉迎都許。臣前與操交兵，今操保傅陛下，臣為外將，欲以兵自隨，恐有嫌疑，是以待罪徐州，進退未敢自寧。」答太祖曰：「布獲罪之人，分為誅首，手命慰勞，厚見褒獎。重見購捕袁術等詔書，布當以命為效。」太祖更遣奉車都尉王則為使者，齎詔書，又封平東將軍印綬來拜布。太祖又手書與布曰：「山陽屯送將軍所失大封，國家無好金，孤自取家好金更相為作印，國家無紫綬，自取所帶紫綬以籍心。將軍所使不良。袁術稱天子，將軍止之，而使不通章。朝廷信將軍，使復重上，以相明忠誠。」布乃遣登奉章謝恩，并以一好綬答太祖。

[Chén] Dēng met Tàizǔ and explained that because Bù was valiant but had no planning ability and easily changeable, it was suitable to plan against him early. Tàizǔ said: “Bù has a wolf-cub’s wild heart, and truly it will be difficult to keep him long. Aside from you sir, there is none able to investigate his feelings.” He then increased [Chén] Guī’s salary to the 2000 dàn level, and appointed [Chén] Dēng as Administrator of Guǎnglíng. At their parting, Tàizǔ held [Chén] Dēng’s hand and said: “The matters of the east, I will entrust to you.” He ordered [Chén] Dēng to secretly gather armies to act as an inside agent.

登見太祖，因陳布勇而無計，輕於去就，宜早圖之。太祖曰：「布，狼子野心，誠難久養，非卿莫能究其情也。」即增珪秩中二千石，拜登廣陵太守。臨別，太祖執登手曰：「東方之事，便以相付。」令登陰合部眾以為內應。

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Originally, Bù had sent Dēng to ask to become Governor of Xú Province. When Dēng returned, Bù was angry, and grabbed a halberd and chopped a table saying: “Your father advised me to cooperate with Excellency Cáo and cut off the marriage alliance with [Yuán Shù] Gōnglù. Now the one thing I requested has not been answered, while you father and son have both been heavily rewarded. I have been sold out by you and that is all! When you spoke for me, what was it that you said?”

始，布因登求徐州牧，登還，布怒，拔戟斫几曰：「卿父勸吾協同曹公，絕婚公路；今吾所求無一獲，而卿父子並顯重，為卿所賣耳！卿為吾言，其說云何？

[Chén] Dēng was not alarmed, and gently answered him: “When I met Excellency Cáo, I said: ‘Treating the General is like raising a tiger: it must be given its fill of meat. If it is not full then it will devour people.’ The Excellency said: ‘It is not as you said. It is like raising a hawk. When it is hungry it can be used. If it is full then it will fly away.’ His words were like this.” Bù understood, and settled down.

登不為動容，徐喻之曰；「登見曹公言：『待將軍譬如養虎，當飽其肉，不飽則將噬人。』公曰：『不如卿言也。譬如養鷹，饑則為用，飽則揚去。』其言如此。」布意乃解。

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[Yuán] Shù was angry, and joined his strength with Hán Xiān, Yáng Fèng, and others, sending his chief officer Zhāng Xūn to attack Bù. Bù said to [Chén] Guī: “Now Shù’s army has come because of you. What is to be done?”

術怒，與韓暹、楊奉等連勢，遣大將張勳攻布。布謂珪曰：「今致術軍，卿之由也，為之奈何？」

[Chén] Guī said: “[Hán] Xiān and [Yáng] Fèng and Shù have only joined their armies together and that is all. Their plans cannot be settled, and they cannot support one another. My son [Chén] Dēng has planned against them, comparing them to a group of chickens that cannot perch together, and so can be separated and captured.” Bù used [Chén] Guī’s plan, and sent someone to persuade Xiān and Fèng to join with them and together attack Shù’s army. All of [Yuán Shù’s] army’s supplies would be permitted to go to [Hán] Xiān and [Yáng] Fèng. Thereupon [Hán] Xiān and [Yáng] Fèng joined them, and [Zhāng] Xūn was greatly defeated. (1)

珪曰：「暹、奉與術，卒合之軍耳，策謀不素定，不能相維持，子登策之，比之連雞，勢不俱棲，可解離也。」布用珪策，遣人說暹、奉，使與己并力共擊術軍，軍資所有，悉許暹、奉。於是暹、奉從之，勳大破敗。〔一〕

• (1) Jiǔzhōu Chūnqiū records Bù’s letter with Xiān and Fèng: “You two Generals guided the Imperial Chariot to come east, and done a great achievement to the state that should be written on bamboo and silk as a lesson for all ages. Now Yuán Shù rebels, and you should together punish and attack. How can you instead join with treacherous ministers and return to attack me? I have the achievement of killing Dǒng Zhuó, and so with you two Generals we each are ministers with [loyal] achievements. We should therefore now join together to attack and destroy Shù and establish an achievement for the world Under Heaven. This opportunity cannot be missed.” [Hán] Xiān and [Yáng] Fèng received the letter, and so made plans to follow Bù. Bù advanced his army, and from [Zhāng] Xūn’s camp was several hundred paces. [Hán] Xiān and [Yáng] Fèng at the same time set out, beheading ten officers, and the killed and injured and drowned in the river were uncountable.
• Yīngxióngjì states: Bù afterward went with [Hán] Xiān’s and [Yáng] Fèng’s two armies went toward Shòuchūn, advancing by land and water, plundering everywhere they passed, arriving up to Zhōnglí, taking their great gains and returning. When they crossed back north of the Huái [river], they left a letter to [Yuán] Shù that said: “You relied on the strength of your army, and often spoke of your fierce officers and martial soldiers, wishing to destroy and absorb us, but was always restrained and that is all. Though I lack valor, like a tiger I crossed south of the Huái, and the whole time I was there, you scurried off like a rat to Shòuchūn, and no one showed their head. Where were those fierce officers and martial soldiers? You liked to speak boastfully to deceive the world Under Heaven, but can the people Under Heaven be completely deceived? The ancients when they did battle sent messengers between them. I was not the first to speak out to send messanges. We are not far from you, and we can await your answer.” After Bù had crossed, [Yuán] Shù himself commanded 5000 infantry and cavalry and raised arms beside the Huái, but Bù’s cavalry was all north of the river and they all jeered and laughed at them and went back. At the time Dōnghǎi’s Xiāo Jiàn was Chancellor of Lángyé, governed at Jǔ, and he defended and held the city and would not communicate with Bù. Bù wrote a letter to [Xiāo] Jiàn: “The world Under Heaven raised troops, and because of this I executed Dǒng Zhuó and that is all. I killed [Dǒng] Zhuó and came to the east of the Passes, wishing to ask for troops to go west to welcome the Imperial Chariot and recover the capital region of Luò[yáng], but all the officers for themselves returned to fighting one another, and none could think of the state. I am a man of Wǔyuán, over five thousand lǐ from Xú Province, so the northwest is my importance place, and I have not now come to fight together over the southeastern land. Jǔ and Xiàpī are not far from each other, and should join together. If you sir take a prefecture as an Emperor, then counties are [its vassal] Kings. In the past Yuè Yì attacked Qí, and in a breath captured from Qí over seventy cities, and only the two cities Jǔ and Jímò had not fallen. The reason for this was because they had Tián Dān with them. Though I am not Yuè Yì, you sir are also not Tián Dān. May you receive my letter and consult it together with wise advisors.” [Xiāo] Jiàn obtained the letter, and sent his Registrar Jī Jiān to send up gifts, offering as tribute five good horses. [Xiāo] Jiàn was then defeated and replaced by Zāng Bà, who captured all of [Xiāo] Jiàn’s resources and supplies. Bù heard of this, and himself led infantry and cavalry toward Jǔ. Gāo Shùn remonstrated him: “General, you personally killed Dǒng Zhuó, and your authority shakes the eastern and northern peoples. You sit upright and look around, and far and near all naturally fear and obey. It is inappropriate to frivolously personally set out with the army. If perhaps you are not successful, your reputation will be disgraced.” Bù would not listen. [Zāng] Bà feared that Bù had come to plunder and harm, so he indeed ascended the city walls and defended. Bù could not dislodge them, and so retreated and returned to Xiàpī. [Zāng] Bà afterward made peace with Bù.

〔一〕　九州春秋載布與暹、奉書曰：「二將軍拔大駕來東，有元功於國，當書勳竹帛，萬世不朽。今袁術造逆，當共誅討，奈何與賊臣還共伐布？布有殺董卓之功，與二將軍俱為功臣，可因今共擊破術，建功於天下，此時不可失也。」暹、奉得書，即迴計從布。布進軍，去勳等營百步，暹、奉兵同時並發，斬十將首，殺傷墮水死者不可勝數。英雄記曰：布後又與暹、奉二軍向壽春，水陸並進，所過虜略。到鍾離，大獲而還。既渡淮北，留書與術曰：「足下恃軍彊盛，常言猛將武士，欲相吞滅，每抑止之耳！布雖無勇，虎步淮南，一時之閒，足下鼠竄壽春，無出頭者。猛將武士，為悉何在？足下喜為大言以誣天下，天下之人安可盡誣？古者兵交，使在其閒，造策者非布先唱也。相去不遠，可復相聞。」布渡畢，術自將步騎五千揚兵淮上，布騎皆于水北大咍笑之而還。時有東海蕭建為瑯邪相，治莒，保城自守，不與布通。布與建書曰：「天下舉兵，本以誅董卓耳。布殺卓，來詣關東，欲求兵西迎大駕，光復洛京，諸將自還相攻，莫肯念國。布，五原人也，去徐州五千餘里，乃在天西北角，今不來共爭天東南之地。莒與下邳相去不遠，宜當共通。君如自遂以為郡郡作帝，縣縣自王也！昔樂毅攻齊，呼吸下齊七十餘城，唯莒、即墨二城不下，所以然者，中有田單故也。布雖非樂毅，君亦非田單，可取布書與智者詳共議之。」建得書，即遣主簿齎牋上禮，貢良馬五匹。建尋為臧霸所襲破，得建資實。布聞之，自將步騎向莒。高順諫曰：「將軍躬殺董卓，威震夷狄，端坐顧盼，遠近自然畏服，不宜輕自出軍；如或不捷，損名非小。」布不從。霸畏布（引還）鈔暴，果登城拒守。布不能拔，引還下邳。霸後復與布和。

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Jiàn’ān third year [198], Bù returned to rebellion and joined Shù, sending Gāo Shùn to attack Liú Bèi at Pèi, and defeated him. Tàizǔ sent Xiàhóu Dūn to rescue Bèi, who was defeated by [Gāo] Shùn. Tàizǔ personally came to campaign against Bù. When he arrived below the city walls, he sent to Bù a letter explaining his potential disaster and fortunes. Bù wished to surrender, but Chén Gōng and others were afraid for their own crimes [against Tàizǔ], and stopped his plans. (1)

建安三年，布復叛為術，遣高順攻劉備於沛，破之。太祖遣夏侯惇救備，為順所敗。太祖自征布，至其城下，遺布書，為陳禍福。布欲降，陳宮等自以負罪深，沮其計。〔一〕

• (1) Xiàn-dì Chūnqiū states: Tàizǔ‘s army arrived at Péngchéng. Chén Gōng said to Bù: “It is appropriate to oppose and attack them. Using fresh [troops] to attack tired [troops], you cannot fail.” Bù said: “It is better to wait until they come to attack, then drive them into the Sì river.” When Tàizǔ‘s army attacked and the situation was desperate, Bù went up the White Gate tower and said to the army’s soldiers: “If Minister Cáo does not oppress me, I am willing to submit to his wise excellency.” Chén Gōng said: “That rebel Cáo Cāo, how can you call him wise excellency? Today if you surrender to him, it would be like throwing an egg at a rock. How can you expect to survive!”

〔一〕　獻帝春秋曰：太祖軍至彭城。陳宮謂布：「宜逆擊之，以逸擊勞，無不克也。」布曰：「不如待其來攻，蹙著泗水中。」及太祖軍攻之急，布于白門樓上謂軍士曰：「卿曹無相困，我（自首當）〔當自首〕明公。」陳宮曰：「逆賊曹操，何等明公！今日降之，若卵投石，豈可得全也！」

Bù sent someone to ask for rescue from Shù and personally led over a thousand riders out to battle, but was defeated and fled, and returned to defend the city, and did not dare come out. (2)

布遣人求救于術，（術）自將千餘騎出戰，敗走，還保城，不敢出。〔二〕

• (2) Yīngxióngjì states: Bù sent Xǔ Sì and Wáng Kǎi to report his emergency to [Yuán] Shù. [Yuán] Shù said: “Bù did not send me his daughter, and it is proper that he is about to be defeated. Who do you come again?” [Xǔ] Sì and [Wáng] Kǎi said: “If Your Wise Majesty do not now rescue Bù, you are defeating yourself and that is all! If Bù is destroyed, Your Wise Majesty will also be destroyed.” [Yuán] Shù at the time claimed Imperial Title, which is why they called him Wise Majesty. [Yuán] Shù therefore mobilized troops to show support for Bù. Bù was afraid that because his daughter had not arrived [Yuán] Shù would thus not send troops to rescue, so he wrapped his daughter in silk and tied her atop his horse, and in the night went to send his daughter to Shù, but they came across Tàizǔ’s sentries, and were blocked and shot at and could not cross, so they returned to the city. Bù intended to command Chén Gōng and Gāo Shùn to defend the city and personally command cavalry out to cut Tàizǔ’s supply lines. Bù’s wife said: “General you wish to personally go out to cut Lord Cáo’s supply lines. [Chén] Gōng and [Gāo] Shùn always do not get along. As soon as you go out General, [Chén] Gōng and [Gāo] Shùn will certainly not work together to defend the city. If there is a problem, then General how can you support yourself? I hope you, General, will think and plan this over, and not be misled by [Chén] Gōng and the rest. I your woman was previously at Cháng’ān, and was abandoned by you General, and relied on Páng Shū to secretly hide me and that is all. Now you again do not look after me.” Bù heard his wife’s words, and became worried and depressed and could not come to a decision.
• Wèishì Chūnqiū states: Chén Gōng said to Bù: “Lord Cáo has come from afar, and his strength cannot last long. If you General with infantry and cavalry go out and establish a camp, you can establish strength outside, while I command the remaining army to close and defend inside. If they go toward you General, I can lead troops to attack their rear. If they come to besiege the city, you General can provide rescue from outside. Within ten days, their army’s provisions will certainly be exhausted, and we can attack and destroy them.” Bù agreed with this. Bù’s wife said: “In the past Cáo treated [Chén Gōng] Gōngtái as well as for a newborn, and yet he still abandoned him and came [to you]. Now you General have not been more generous to Gōngtái as Lord Cáo, yet you wish to entrust the whole city and your wife and children to him, and alone with the army set out far away. If in one day there is a change [rebellion], than how can I still be your wife General?” Bù therefore stopped.

〔二〕　英雄記曰：布遣許汜、王楷告急于術。術曰：「布不與我女，理自當敗，何為復來相聞邪？」汜、楷曰：「明上今不救布，為自敗耳！布破，明上亦破也。」術時僭號，故呼為明上。術乃嚴兵為布作聲援。布恐術為女不至，故不遣兵救也，以綿纏女身，縛著馬上，夜自送女出與術，與太祖守兵相觸，格射不得過，復還城。布欲令陳宮、高順守城，自將騎斷太祖糧道。布妻謂曰：「將軍自出斷曹公糧道是也。宮、順素不和，將軍一出，宮、順必不同心共城守也，如有蹉跌，將軍當於何自立乎？願將軍諦計之，無為宮等所誤也。妾昔在長安，已為將軍所棄，賴得龐舒私藏妾身耳，今不須顧妾也。」布得妻言，愁悶不能自決。魏氏春秋曰：陳宮謂布曰：「曹公遠來，勢不能久。若將軍以步騎出屯，為勢於外，宮將餘眾閉守於內，若向將軍，宮引兵而攻其背，若來攻城，將軍為救於外。不過旬日，軍食必盡，擊之可破。」布然之。布妻曰：「昔曹氏待公臺如赤子，猶舍而來。今將軍厚公臺不過於曹公，而欲委全城，捐妻子，孤軍遠出，若一旦有變，妾豈得為將軍妻哉！」布乃止。

[Yuán] Shù also could not rescue him. Though Bù was strong and ferocious, he had no plans but many suspicions, and could not settle factionalism, though he trusted his officers. The officers all had their own intentions and doubts, and therefore in every battle they were defeated. Tàizǔ constructed a moat and besieged for three moons, and high and low all lost the will [to fight]. His officers Hóu Chéng, Sòng Xiàn, and Wèi Xù bound Chén Gōng and led their armies to surrender. (3)

術亦不能救。布雖驍猛，然無謀而多猜忌，不能制御其黨，但信諸將。諸將各異意自疑，故每戰多敗。太祖塹圍之三月，上下離心，其將侯成、宋憲、魏續縛陳宮，將其眾降。〔三〕

• (3) Jiǔzhōu Chūnqiū states: Previously, Bù’s cavalry officer Hóu Chéng sent a retainer to herd fifteen horses, and the retainer took all the horses and fled, heading to Pèi city, hoping to join Liú Bèi. [Hóu] Chéng personally led riders to pursue them, and took back all the horses and returned. All the officers gathered with gifts to congratulate [Hóu] Chéng, and [Hóu] Chéng brewed five to six hú of liquor and hunted and gained over ten pigs. Before the feast, he first offered half the pigs and five dòu of liquor himself in a visit to Bù, presented them and knelt and said: “We are surrounded by your grace, General. We pursued and regained the lost horses, and all the officers have come to offer congratulations. I have brewed a little liquor and hunted some pigs, but do not yet dare have a feast, and first offer it up with humble intentions.” Bù was greatly furious and said: “I have forbidden alcohol, but you have brewed liquor, and all the officers are feasting together and making ties of brotherhood. Are you all plotting to kill me?” [Hóu] Chéng was greatly terrified and left, discarded all the brewed liquor, and returned the gifts to all the officers. Because of this he was doubtful of his position. When Tàizǔ was besieging Xiàpī, [Hóu] Chéng thereupon led his army to surrender.

〔三〕　九州春秋曰：初，布騎將侯成遣客牧馬十五匹，客悉驅馬去，向沛城，欲歸劉備。成自將騎逐之，悉得馬還。諸將合禮賀成，成釀五六斛酒，獵得十餘頭豬，未飲食，先持半豬五斗酒自入詣布前，跪言：「閒蒙將軍恩，逐得所失馬，諸將來相賀，自釀少酒，獵得豬，未敢飲食，先奉上微意。」布大怒曰：「布禁酒，卿釀酒，諸將共飲食作兄弟，共謀殺布邪？」成大懼而去，棄所釀酒，還諸將禮。由是自疑，會太祖圍下邳，成遂領眾降。

Bù and his bannermen climbed the White Gate tower. Soldiers surrounded and pressed them, and so they came down and surrendered. Thereupon Bù was taken alive and bound. Bù said: “The bounds are too tight. Loosen them a little.”

布與其麾下登白門樓。兵圍急，乃下降。遂生縛布，布曰：「縛太急，小緩之。」

Tàizǔ said: “In binding a tiger they cannot but be tight.”

太祖曰：「縛虎不得不急也。」

Bù said: “Wise Excellency, you had only me to worry about. Now that I am already submitted, the world Under Heaven is nothing to worry about. You wise excellency can command the infantry, and order me to command the cavalry, and then the world Under Heaven will be all but settled.”

布請曰：「明公所患不過於布，今已服矣，天下不足憂。明公將步，令布將騎，則天下不足定也。」

Tàizǔ had a look of doubt. Liú Bèi came forward and said: “Would you wise excellency not meet how Bù handled Dīng [Yuán] Jiànyáng and Grand Teacher Dǒng [Zhuó]?” Tàizǔ nodded to him. Bù therefore accused [Liú] Bèi: “You are the most untrustworthy one!” (4)

太祖有疑色。劉備進曰：「明公不見布之事丁建陽及董太師乎！」太祖頷之。布因指備曰：「是兒最叵信者。」〔四〕

• (4) Yīngxióngjì states: Bù said to Tàizǔ: “I treated my officers well, but my officers in the face of danger all betrayed me and that is all.” Tàizǔ said: “You turned your back on your wife, and favored your officers’ women. How can this be treating them well?” Bù was silent.
• Xiàn-dì Chūnqiū states: Bù asked Tàizǔ: “Wise excellency, why have you lost weight?” Tàizǔ said: “Sir, since when did you know me?” Bù said: “In the past at Luò[yáng], we met in the Wēn clan’s garden.” Tàizǔ: “Right, I had forgotten. The reason I have lost weight is because I regret not recruiting you earlier.” Bù said: “Huán of Qí shot the buckle to [forgive and] employ Guǎn Zhòng as his Chancellor. Now you can employ me to exhaust myself as your trusted aide, and serve you in charging forward. How about it?” Bù’s bindings were tight, and he said to Liú Bèi: “Xuándé, you are in an honored seat as guest, and I am a bound prisoner. Can you not say one thing to ask for lenience?” Tàizǔ laughed and said: “Why do you not say that [to me] but instead complain through him?” [Tàizǔ] intended to spare him, and ordered to unloose the bindings. Registrar Wáng Bì hurried forward and said: “Bù is a dangerous captive. His army is nearby outside. He cannot be set loose.” Tàizǔ said: “Originally I wished to spare you, but my Registrar instead will not permit it. What of it?”

〔四〕　英雄記曰：布謂太祖曰：「布待諸將厚也，諸將臨急皆叛布耳。」太祖曰：「卿背妻，愛諸將婦，何以為厚？」布默然。獻帝春秋曰：布問太祖：「明公何瘦？」太祖曰：「君何以識孤？」布曰：「昔在洛，會溫氏園。」太祖曰：「然。孤忘之矣。所以瘦，恨不早相得故也。」布曰：「齊桓舍射鉤，使管仲相；今使布竭股肱之力，為公前驅，可乎？」布縛急，謂劉備曰：「玄德，卿為坐客，我為執虜，不能一言以相寬乎？」太祖笑曰：「何不相語，而訴明使君乎？」意欲活之，命使寬縛。主簿王必趨進曰：「布，勍虜也。其眾近在外，不可寬也。」太祖曰：「本欲相緩，主簿復不聽，如之何？」

Thereupon Bù was strangled to death. Bù and [Chén] Gōng, [Gāo] Shùn, and others all had their heads sent to Xǔ, and then buried there. (5)

於是縊殺布。布與宮、順等皆梟首送許，然後葬之。〔五〕

• (5) Yīngxióngjì states: [Gāo] Shùn in his conduct was pure and dignified, he did not drink wine, and he did not accept gifts. He commanded over 700 troops called the Thousand Men. Their armor and weapons were all elite and in good order, and every time they attacked none were not defeated. They were called the Breaking-Lines Battalion. Shùn always admonished [Lǚ] Bù, saying: “Those who destroy their own family and state are not necessarily those lacking loyal servants or wise subordinates, but those who do not use them and that is all. General, when you act, you do not consider matters thoroughly, are always fond of speaking wrongly, and your mistakes are uncountable.” Bù knew he was loyal, but could not use his [warning]. Bù after Hǎo Méng rebelled neglected Shùn further. Because Wèi Xù was an outer and inner relative, [Lǚ Bù] always took Shùn’s commanded troops and gave them to Xù. When it was time for attack and battle, then Shùn would be returned command of Xù’s commanded troops. Shùn also to the end did not have any resentment.

〔五〕　英雄記曰：順為人清白有威嚴，不飲酒，不受饋遺。所將七百餘兵，號為千人，鎧甲鬥具皆精練齊整，每所攻擊無不破者，名為陷陳營。順每諫布，言「凡破家亡國，非無忠臣明智者也，但患不見用耳。將軍舉動，不肯詳思，輒喜言誤，誤不可數也」。布知其忠，然不能用。布從郝萌反後，更疏順。以魏續有外內之親，悉奪順所將兵以與續。及當攻戰，故令順將續所領兵，順亦終無恨意。

When Tàizǔ captured [Chén] Gōng, he asked Gōng if he wished to live for his elderly mother and daughter or not. Gōng answered: “I have heard those who filially govern the world Under Heaven do not exterminate a man’s kin, and those who benevolently care for the land within the Four Seas do not end a man’s sacrifices [by posterity]. My elderly mother[’s fate] is with you, not with me.” Tàizǔ summoned and cared for his mother to the end of her life, and arranged a marriage for his daughter. (1)

太祖之禽宮也，問宮欲活老母及女不？宮對曰：「宮聞孝治天下者不絕人之親，仁施四海者不乏人之祀，老母在公，不在宮也。」太祖召養其母終其身，嫁其女。〔一〕

• (1) Yúshì Diǎnlüè states: Chén Gōng, styled Gōngtái, was a man of Dōng-jùn. He was firm, outspoken, stern, and strong, and from youth associated with all the well-known scholars within the Seas. When the world Under Heaven fell into disordered, he first followed Tàizǔ but later had doubts, and then followed Lǚ Bù. He made plans for Bù, but Bù every time would not follow his plans. At the defeat at Xiàpī, soldiers seized Bù and Gōng. Tàizǔ met both of them, and with them discussed what to do with their lives, and so Bù asked to live. Tàizǔ said to Gōng: “Gōngtái, you always said you had abundant wisdom and planning. Now how did you come to this?” Gōng looked back and directed at Bù: “Only because this man would not follow my words did it come to this. If he had listened, then we would not have been captured.” Tàizǔ laughed and said: “In today’s affairs what do you have to say?” Gōng said: “For a servant who is not loyal, and son who is not filial, death is the natural outcome.” Tàizǔ said: “If you [are executed] like this, then what of your elderly mother?” Gōng said: “I have heard that those who with filiality rule the world Under Heaven do not harm a man’s kin. My elderly mother’s protection or destruction is with you wise lord.” Tàizǔ said: “What of your wife and children?” Gōng said: “I have heard those who benevolently govern the world Under Heaven do not cut off a man’s sacrifices [by posterity]. My wife and children’s protection or destruction is also with you wise lord.” Tàizǔ had not yet answered, when Gōng said: “I ask to go to my death, in accordance with military law.” Thereupon he hurried and went out, and would not be stopped. Tàizǔ wept and saw him off. Gōng would not return or look back. After Gōng died, Tàizǔ cared for his family and provided for all their needs.

〔一〕　魚氏典略曰：陳宮字公臺，東郡人也。剛直烈壯，少與海內知名之士皆相連結。及天下亂，始隨太祖，後自疑，乃從呂布，為布畫策，布每不從其計。下邳敗，軍士執布及宮，太祖皆見之，與語平生，故布有求活之言。太祖謂宮曰：「公臺，卿平常自謂智計有餘，今竟何如？」宮顧指布曰：「但坐此人不從宮言，以至于此。若其見從，亦未必為禽也。」太祖笑曰：「今日之事當云何？」宮曰：「為臣不忠，為子不孝，死自分也。」太祖曰：「卿如是，奈卿老母何？」宮曰：「宮聞將以孝治天下者不害人之親，老母之存否，在明公也。」太祖曰：「若卿妻子何？」宮曰：「宮聞將施仁政於天下者不絕人之祀，妻子之存否，亦在明公也。」太祖未復言。宮曰：「請出就戮，以明軍法。」遂趨出，不可止。太祖泣而送之，宮不還顧。宮死後，太祖待其家皆厚於初。

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Chén Dēng, appellation Yuánlōng, in Guǎnglíng had authority and reputation. He also in the settling of Lǚ Bù had achievement, and was advanced to General Subduing Waves. Aged thirty-nine years he died.

陳登者，字元龍，在廣陵有威名。又掎角呂布有功，加伏波將軍，年三十九卒。

Later Xǔ Sì and Liú Bèi were both seated guests of Governor of Jīngzhōu Liú Biǎo, and [Liú] Biǎo and [Liú] Bèi together discussed the people of the world Under Heaven. [Xǔ] Sì said: “Chén Yuánlōng is a scholar of the lake and sealands, [but] barbaric without end.”

後許汜與劉備並在荊州牧劉表坐，表與備共論天下人，汜曰：「陳元龍湖海之士，豪氣不除。」

[Liú] Bèi said to [Liú] Biǎo: “Is what sir Xǔ has said right or wrong?”

備謂表曰：「許君論是非？」

[Liú] Biǎo said: “Suppose I wish to say wrong, but then this sir is an excellent scholar, and would not inappropriately speak false words. Suppose I wish to say right, but Yuánlōng is renowned greatly in the world Under Heaven.”

表曰：「欲言非，此君為善士，不宜虛言；欲言是，元龍名重天下。」

[Liú] Bèi asked [Xǔ] Sì: “When you sir say he is barbaric, is there a reason?”

備問汜：「君言豪，寧有事邪？」

[Liú] Sì said: “Previously in the chaos I happened to pass Xiàpī, and met Chén Yuánlōng. Yuánlōng has no courtesy in caring for guests, and for a long time would not face or speak with me. He kept himself up sitting atop a large bed, and had guests sit below the bed.”

汜曰：「昔遭亂過下邳，見元龍。元龍無客主之意，久不相與語，自上大床臥，使客臥下床。」

[Liú] Bèi said: “You sir have have reputation of a state scholar. Now the world Under Heaven is in great chaos, the Emperor has lost his place. [Chén Dēng] hoped that you would worry for the state and forget your home, and have intentions to bring salvation, but you sir asked for land and residence, and in your words there was nothing workable. This was what Yuánlōng would not speak of. Why should he have spoken with you sir? If it were me, I would lie a hundred chǐ above, and have you sir lie on the ground, and what would be the difference between the high or low bed?”

備曰：「君有國士之名，今天下大亂，帝主失所，望君憂國忘家，有救世之意，而君求田問舍，言無可采，是元龍所諱也，何緣當與君語？如小人，欲臥百尺樓上，臥君於地，何但上下床之間邪？」

[Liú] Biǎo greatly laughed. [Liú] Bèi therefore said: “Those like Yuánlōng in civil and military courage and ambition could only be sought for in ancient times and that is all. Now it is difficult to find those that can compare.” (1)

表大笑。備因言曰：「若元龍文武膽志，當求之於古耳，造次難得比也。」〔一〕

• (1) Xiānxián Xíngzhuàng states:
• • Dēng was loyal and bright and straightforward, by nature thorough with great ability, and when young had the ambition to support the age and bring relief to the people. He read extensively in the classics, was elegant in literature and art. Of the old canonical essays, there were none he did not research and understand. At age twenty-five years, he was nominated as Filial and Incorrupt, appointed Chief of Dōngyáng, cared for the old and orphaned, and cared for the people as if for his own injuries.
• • At the time, the era suffered [food] shortages and the people were hungry, so the Provincial Governor Táo Qiān memorialized Dēng as Colonel Managing Agriculture, and so he traveled appraising soil and fields, thoroughly dug irrigation, and the rice paddies were abundant and grew. He was sent [197] as envoy to Xǔ, and Tàizǔ appointed Dēng as Administrator of Guǎnglíng, with orders to secretly gather an army to plan against Lǚ Bù. When Dēng was at Guǎnglíng, he made clear and investigated reward and punishment, and his prestige and reputation spread about. The pirate Xuē Zhōu’s followers were over ten thousand households, but were helpless and returned to obedience. Before the end of the year, he had achievement in transforming [the commandery] and the common people feared but loved him. Dēng said: “They can be employed now.” Tàizǔ arrived at Xiàpī, and Dēng commanded the commandery troops to serve as the army’s front lines. At the time [198] all of Dēng’s younger brothers were within Xiàpī’s city walls, and Bù seized as hostages Dēng’s three younger brothers, hoping to use them to ask for peace. Dēng would not be stopped, and advanced and besieged and daily pressed hard. Bù’s subordinate Zhāng Hóng feared to be involved, and in the night freed Dēng’s three younger brothers and sent them out to Dēng.
• • When Bù was executed, Dēng for his achievements was promoted to General Overcoming Waves, and greatly received popular support between the Jiāng and Huái, so he had ambition to subdue and absorb the south of the Jiāng. Sūn Cè sent an army to attack Dēng at Kuāngqí city [199]. When the rebels first arrived, their banners and armor blanketed the river. [Chén Dēng’s] followers down, because the present rebel army was ten times the number of the commandery troops, were afraid they could not resist,  and suggested withdrawing the army to flee from them, and leave the city empty, since a naval force occupying land could not long reside there, and would certainly withdraw and go.
• • Dēng in a stern voice said: “I received the state’s commands, and have come to defend this land. In the past when Mǎ Wényuān was at this post, he could to the south pacify all the hundreds of Yuè peoples and to the north wipe out all the Dí peoples. If I cannot restrain and destroy the vicious evildoers, how can I flee from bandits and so do wrong? I set out to serve the state, to uphold justice and bring order to the chaos, and following natural order we must overcome.” Therefore he closed the gates and defended, and showing weakness would not do battle. The officers and soldiers restrained their voices, and remained silent as if there were no men. Dēng ascended the city walls and observed the circumstances, and knew [the enemy] could be attacked. Therefore he commanded the officers and soldiers in the night to ready their weapons, under darkness open the southern gate, and led the army into the rebel camp, and the infantry and cavalry wreaked havoc afterward. The rebels were utterly terrified, and with harnesses could not but return to their boats. Dēng with his own hand beat the army’s drums, commanding the troops to board them, and the rebels were thereupon greatly defeated, and all abandoned their ships and fled. Dēng followed up on the victory and pursued, beheading some ten thousand enemies.
• • The rebels were angry and mournful and raised up a great many troops to go face Dēng. Dēng knew he could not match them, and sent his Merit Officer Chén Jiǎo to ask help from Tàizǔ. Dēng secretly went out from the city ten lǐ and set up a army camp there, ordered to gather a great amount of firewood, and placed two bundles together every ten paces, and after finishing went back. He ordered in the night to light them all on fire, and the fire thus grew visible. Atop the city walls he announced celebrations as if the great army had arrived. The rebels saw the fires and were very alarmed and scattered. Dēng commanded the troops to pursue, and beheaded on the order of ten thousand.
• • Dēng was transferred to Administrator of Dōngchéng. Guǎnglíng’s officials and people were attached to his favor and virtue, and together left the commandery to follow Dēng, and old and young and with children on their backs followed him. Dēng in the morning spoke and ordered them to return, saying: “As Administrator in your commandery, I frequently reported Wú bandits, and by good fortune overcame them and brought relief. How can you all sirs worry that you will not receive a good leader?”
• • Afterward when Sūn Quán came to power across the Jiāng, every time Tàizǔ faced the great Jiāng he would sigh and regret not earlier using Chén Yuánlóng’s plans, and order to bestow pigs to provide for his [Chén Dēng’s] fighting subordinates. Wén-dì [Cáo Pī] recalled and praised Dēng’s achievements, and appointed Dēng’s son Sù as Palace Cadet.

〔一〕　先賢行狀曰：登忠亮高爽，沈深有大略，少有扶世濟民之志。博覽載籍，雅有文藝，舊典文章，莫不貫綜。年二十五，舉孝廉，除東陽長，養耆育孤，視民如傷。是時，世荒民飢，州牧陶謙表登為典農校尉，乃巡土田之宜，盡鑿溉之利，秔稻豐積。奉使到許，太祖以登為廣陵太守，令陰合眾以圖呂布。登在廣陵，明審賞罰，威信宣布。海賊薛州之群萬有餘戶，束手歸命。未及期年，功化以就，百姓畏而愛之。登曰：「此可用矣。」太祖到下邳，登率郡兵為軍先驅。時登諸弟在下邳城中，布乃質執登三弟，欲求和同。登執意不撓，進圍日急。布刺姦張弘，懼於後累，夜將登三弟出就登。布既伏誅，登以功加拜伏波將軍，甚得江、淮閒歡心，於是有吞滅江南之志。孫策遣軍攻登于匡琦城。賊初到，旌甲覆水，群下咸以今賊眾十倍於郡兵，恐不能抗，可引軍避之，與其空城。水人居陸，不能久處，必尋引去。登厲聲曰：「吾受國命，來鎮此土。昔馬文淵之在斯位，能南平百越，北滅群狄，吾既不能遏除凶慝，何逃寇之為邪！吾其出命以報國，仗義以整亂，天道與順，克之必矣。」乃閉門自守，示弱不與戰，將士銜聲，寂若無人。登乘城望形勢，知其可擊。乃申令將士，宿整兵器，昧爽，開南門，引軍詣賊營，步騎鈔其後。賊周章，方結陳，不得還船。登手執軍鼓，縱兵乘之，賊遂大破，皆棄船迸走。登乘勝追奔，斬虜以萬數。賊忿喪軍，尋復大興兵向登。登以兵不敵，使功曹陳矯求救於太祖。登密去城十里治軍營處所，令多取柴薪，兩束一聚，相去十步，縱橫成行，令夜俱起火，火然其聚。城上稱慶，若大軍到。賊望火驚潰，登勒兵追奔，斬首萬級。遷登為東城太守。廣陵吏民佩其恩德，共拔郡隨登，老弱襁負而追之。登曉語令還，曰：「太守在卿郡，頻致吳寇，幸而克濟。諸卿何患無令君乎？」孫權遂跨有江外。太祖每臨大江而歎，恨不早用陳元龍計，而令封豕養其爪牙。文帝追美登功，拜登息肅為郎中。