QIN DYNASTY
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Translation
The following is a translation of the 36th scroll of the Sanguo Zhi, called Guan-Zhang-Ma-Huang-Zhao zhuan. Essentially, it contains the biographies of Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Ma Chao, Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun, the commanders of Shu who would later become known as the 'Five Tiger Generals'. The scroll is of interest for its unique insights into ideas of the generals before the advent and influence of the popular tradition surrounding their personages. The years in the text are dated through the nianhao system, the practice of counting years of arbitrary "year periods", chosen largely for their magical potency. It should be noted that my translation is removed from the original, and I stress that it was not possible for a person with my skills to capture any of the ambiguities and subtelties of Chen Shou's writing. Certain phrases I had no way of translating or thought unwise to present in anything else than its original state I have left in pinyin. Records (ce) have been omitted.

- TRANSLATION -

----GuanYu----

Guan Yu styled Yunchang; originally styled Changsheng; was a native of Jie, Hedong. He fled and sought refuge in Zhuojun. The Former Lord [Liu Bei] banded with his followers in the township; Guan Yu and Zhang Fei became his associates. The Former Lord became Chancellor of Pingyuan and made Guan Yu and Zhang Fei senior majors, each with separate command of their own battalions. The Former Lord slept in the same bed as [his] two [followers], and shared brotherly compassion. His followers treated him faithfully till the end of days, accompanied him in the contest [of warlords], unswerving in meeting hardships and dangers. The Former Lord made a surprise attack killing Che Zhou, Inspector of Xuzhou, and ordered Guan Yu to garrison the city of Xiapi, taking on the duties of Grand Administrator; whilst he himself returned to Xiaopei.

Guan Yu's union with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei

In the fifth year of Jian'an, Duke Cao [Cao Cao] campaigned in the east; the Former Lord fled to Yuan Shao. Duke Cao captured Guan Yu and installed him in his retinue, making him lieutenant-general and bestowed on him excessive gifts and courtesies. Yuan Shao sent his great general Yan Liang to besiege Liu Yan, Grand Administrator of Dongjun at Baima; Duke Cao sent Zhang Liao and Guan Yu as vanguards [to repulse the attack]. Guan Yu saw the umbrella cover of Yan Liang, urged his mount on and pierced Yan Liang amongst the ranks of the ten-thousand, and brought his head back; none of Yuan Shao's generals could withstand [this] and the siege of Baima was unravelled. Duke Cao received a memorial and made Guan Yu 'Marquis of Hanshou'.

Guan Yu's capture by Cao Cao and subsequent honours

Initially, Duke Cao treated Guan Yu with resplendency, however, he detected that his subject had no thought of remaining for long, and said to Zhang Liao: "qing [close henchman]: test out his conscience." So Zhang Liao questioned Guan Yu; Guan Yu sighed, saying: "I know that Duke Cao treats me well, but I have received General Liu's earnest benevolence, and sworn to die together with him, [a vow] which cannot be turned on. In the end I cannot remain, I will repay Duke Cao with deeds before I leave." Zhang Liao reported to Duke Cao on Guan Yu's words; Duke Cao received [the message] righteously. After Guan Yu killed Yan Liang, Duke Cao knew that he would go, and rewarded him generously. Guan Yu sealed all which was bestowed, conferred letter of farewell, and set off for the Former Lord in the Yuan army. His subordinates urged pursuit, but Duke Cao said: "[It is but] a follower returning to his lord; do not give chase."

The Former Lord went to Liu Biao. Liu Biao died, Duke Cao secured Jingzhou, the Former Lord crossed the river south from Fan, and ordered Guan Yu with hundreds of ships to rendevous [with him] at Jiangling. Duke Cao caught up to [Liu Bei] at Changban, Dangyang; the Former Lord pivoted from his route, to Han ford, where he met with Guan Yu's fleet and progressed together to Xiakou. Sun Quan sent soldiers to oppose Duke Cao with the Former Lord; Duke Cao led his army in retreat. The Former Lord took various commanderies of Jiangnan, and was made yuanxu ['founding father']; he made Guan Yu Grand Administrator of Xiangyang, 'Enemy-purging General', stationed in Jiangbei. The Former Lord went west to secure Yizhou, and arranged Guan Yu to be in charge of Jingzhou. Guan Yu heard that Ma Chao had come to surrender, he who was never a friend, Guan Yu wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang, asking "To whom can Ma Chao be compared?" Zhuge Liang knew that Guan Yu was defensive, so answered: " [He] is both able in military and civil affairs, fiercely powerful beyond men, a hero of a generation, the disciples of whales and rocs; bested Yide [Zhang Fei] in combat, [but] cannot reach 'the bearded' who is unsurpassed and excels above all others. " Guan Yu's magnificent beard was the beard Zhuge Liang spoke of. After reading the letter, Guan Yu was greatly pleased, and received his guest.

Guan Yu struck by an Arrow

In one incident Guan Yu was struck by a flying arrow, which pierced his left arm; and even though the wound healed, on every occasion of rain, his bones would frequently be in pain; the doctor said: "The arrow was poisonous, and the poison has entered the bone, the arm needs to be opened, the poison scraped from the bone, and only then will this threat be eliminated." Guan Yu promptly ordered the doctor to operate on his arm. At the time Guan Yu invited his subordinate generals to a feast, where the blood from his arm flowed to fill an awaiting pan, but Guan Yu ceased moxibustion and drank wine, relaxed with conversation and laughter.

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