Chapter 33

Liu Bei saw Lü Brandishing his Fangtian halberd and charging at Xiahou Yuan down at the mountain base, while the honest Xiahou Yuan was already on the verge of tears, unable to cry.

Translation: Liu Bei saw at the foot of the mountain Lü Brandishing a halberd charging toward Xiahou Yuan, while Xiahou Yuan, this honest fellow, was now on the verge of tears but unable to cry.

We need to keep meaning, not add. Let's produce concise: Liu Bei saw Lü Brandishing a halberd charging at Xiahou Yuan at the mountain base, while Xiahou Yuan, this honest fellow, was now on the verge of tears but unable to cry.

We need to keep all info: Liu Bei saw at the foot of the mountain Lü Brandishing a halberd charging toward Xiahou Yuan, while Xiahou Yuan this honest fellow now was already wanting to cry but no tears.

We'll produce: Liu Bei saw at the mountain base Lü Brandishing a halberd charging toward Xiahou Yuan, while Xiahou Yuan, this honest fellow, was now on the verge of tears but unable to cry.

Are these the remnants of an army?

Translation: Is this a group of remnant troops?

Who's responsible for this intelligence? He ought to be seized and have his head chopped off!

Translation: Who did this intelligence work? They should be caught and beheaded!

"Hey! We can't let Xiahou Yuan die this early, Wen He—signal the third brother!"

Translation: "Hey! We can't let this kid Xiahou Yuan die so early, Wen He—signal the third brother!"

Liu Bei put away his monocular telescope, Jia Xu gestured to the side, two soldiers lit the prepared firewood, and a massive plume of wolf smoke rose from the mountaintop, followed by successive columns of black smoke rising into the distance.

Translation: Liu Bei lowered the monocular, Jia Xu waved to the side, two soldiers lit the prepared firewood, and then a huge plume of wolf smoke rose from the mountaintop, followed by successive columns of black smoke rising into the sky in the distance.

Seeing the black smoke drifting nearby, Zhang Fei stood on the high mountaintop and bellowed to his men.

Translation: Zhang Fei saw the black smoke drifting nearby, stood on the high mountaintop, and shouted at his troops:

"Break the dam! Throw all the prepared logs into the water!"

Translation: "Dig the dikes! Throw all the prepared logs into the water!"

After long buildup, the Si River had turned into a raging flood; when Zhang Fei's men breached the dike, the river burst forth, rolling waters pouring into the valley.

Translation: The Si Shui River, having long accumulated, had already become a raging flood; when Zhang Fei's soldiers dug open the dike, the river then poured forth, rolling Si Shui waters flowing into the valley.

Zhang Fei had his men throw the felled giant logs into the water; these logs were tapered to points at both ends, and in the flood's immense buoyancy they could wreak havoc, smashing through anything like dry stalks.

Translation: Zhang Fei ordered the felled giant logs to be thrown into the water; these logs were sharpened at both ends, and under the flood's immense buoyancy they could have a devastating effect.

Those fighting in the river valley at the mountain's foot heard a rumble like distant thunder; most combatants with blades and spears didn't notice, but a few more cautious ones looked up, puzzled.

Translation: Among those fighting at the river valley below the mountain, some heard a distant thunder-like sound; many of those wielding blades and spears in combat didn't notice, but a few more cautious individuals looked up at the sky in puzzlement.

This isn't thunder and rain!

Translation: This isn't thunder and rain!

Veteran strategist Chen Gong, with his rich experience, quick wit, and fast reaction, quickly realized it was the roar of a great flood.

Translation: Still, the veteran Chen Gong, rich in experience, quickly deduced from his sharp wit and rapid reaction that this was the sound of a vast flood.

So Chen Gong raised his voice and shouted at Lü Bu.

Translation: Thus Chen Gong raised his voice and shouted at Lü Bu:

"Wenhou, pull back! The flood!"

Translation: "Wen Hou, retreat quickly! The flood!"

Lü Bu was excitedly chasing Xiahou Yuan, swearing: "Damn it! Last time you brought a gang to chase and attack me; now you're on your own—watch me not kill you!"

Translation: Meanwhile Lü Bu was excitedly pursuing Xiahou Yuan, cursing: "Damn it! You brat, last time you brought a gang to chase and hit me; now you're alone—watch me not kill you!"

Faintly amid the fighting, Lü Bu heard Chen Gong's shout, turned and glanced over—just that one look left him so shocked his soul seemed to leave his body.

Translation: Faintly hearing Chen Gong's shout amid the clamor, Lü Bu turned his head doubtfully, but just that one glance left him so startled his soul nearly left his body.

The raging flood swept up countless soldiers; now there were neither Cao forces nor Lü Bu's troops left; the fighters, just waking from a dream, had already been scattered helter-skelter by the Si River torrent.

Translation: The towering flood swept up countless soldiers; now there was neither Cao's army nor Lü Bu's troops, the combatants, just awakening from a dream, were already scattered in disarray by the Si Shui flood.

The sharpened logs first slammed into the cavalry; Lü Bu's elite northern horsemen, which had swept across the north, were smashed by the logs, their brains bursting and entrails ripped out.

Translation: Those sharpened logs first struck the cavalry; Lü Bu's elite north‑spanning iron cavalry were thus smashed by the logs, brains bursting, entrails ripped out.

Even those who managed to survive were drenched to a wretched state; the Cao army was in the same sorry condition.

Translation: Even those who luckily survived were soaked to a miserable state, and Cao's forces were in the same sorry plight.

The Red Hare, truly one of the world's finest horses, remarkably kept its form in the water; then it carried Lü Bu slowly swimming toward the mountainside.

Translation: The Red Hare horse, truly one of the world's finest steeds, even in water could barely maintain its form, then carried Lü Bu slowly swimming toward the mountainside.

Lü Bu, who had trained martial arts year-round, spotted the disheveled Chen Gong struggling in the water and, with his agile ape‑like arms, pulled him out.

Translation: Moreover, Lü Bu, trained in martial arts year‑round, keenly spotted the disheveled Chen Gong struggling in the water, and with his agile ape‑like arms hauled him out.

Zhang Liao and the other stalwarts had lost their fighting capacity; Xiahou Yuan was dangling from a large jujube tree, while Zhang Ba clung to a floating log, vomiting nonstop; these men were originally northerners who couldn't swim, and only those who could cling to driftwood or tree trunks did so thanks to their extraordinary skill.

Translation: Zhang Liao and the other stalwarts had lost their combat ability; Xiahou Yuan hung from a large jujube tree, while Zhang Bai Bai clung to a log, vomiting incessantly; these men were originally northern land‑ducks, and only their superb skill let them cling to driftwood and tree trunks.

At this point Xu Huang and Zhang Fei had already led soldiers on bamboo rafts to rescue people; the small rafts drifted in the water, pulling each half‑dead northerner ashore.

Translation: At this moment Xu Huang and Zhang Fei had already led soldiers on bamboo rafts to rescue people; the tiny rafts drifted in the water, and each half‑dead northerner was pulled ashore.

Xiahou Yuan's eyes were rolled back from being waterlogged; Zhang San, who once handled a pig‑killing blade, hoisted him up with a single bamboo pole.

Translation: Xiahou Yuan's eyes were rolled back from soaking; Zhang San Ye, who once wielded a pig‑killing knife, hoisted him up with a single bamboo pole.

"Hahaha, this guy's flashy outfit shows he's surely a big official—bring him to see the elder brother!"

Translation: "Hahaha, this guy's flashy outfit surely marks him as a big official—bring him to see the elder brother!"

Xu Huang, seeing this, refused to be outdone; he also had Zhang Liao, who was on a nearby piece of driftwood, lifted and tied up; Zhang Liao, already dazed by the flood, had no will to resist.

Translation: Xu Huang, seeing this, did not yield; he also hoisted the nearby floating Zhang Liao up and bound him, Zhang Liao now addled by the flood, utterly lacking the will to resist.

Xu Huang saw Zhang Liao's imposing presence; this man was clearly no ordinary commander at a glance.

Translation: Xu Huang observed Zhang Liao's imposing bearing—this fellow was clearly no ordinary commander at a glance.

Liu Bei and Jia Xu watched a single raft shuttling back and forth in the water below the mountain; seeing that most of the people in the water had been captured alive, Liu Bei turned to Jia Xu and said.

Translation: Liu Bei and Jia Xu watched a lone raft shuttle back and forth below the mountain; seeing most of those in the water had been captured alive, Liu Bei turned to Jia Xu and said:

"Shouldn't the second brother also act over there? After we've taken these little shrimps, what do you think we should do, Master?"

Translation: "Shouldn't your younger brother also take action there? After we nab these little shrimps, what do you advise we do next, sir?"

Jia Xu pulled his cloak tighter.

Translation: Jia Xu tightened his cloak.

"My lord, Chang'an is effectively lost—reports say Zhang Xiu has fled and Yang Feng and his men are all dead. I believe we should first secure Xu Province, though it's a four‑way battleground and certainly not suitable as a base; you ought to make plans early."

Translation: "My lord, Long'an is now irretrievable; reports say Zhang Tou has escaped, and Yang Feng and his men are all dead. I think we should first secure Xuzhou, though Xuzhou is a battleground of four wars and certainly cannot serve as a base—my lord ought to plan early."

Liu Bei thought for a moment, then said to Jia Xu.

Translation: Liu Bei pondered a moment, then said to Jia Xu:

"Tao Qian is seriously ill now; let's talk about this later."

Translation: "For now Lord Tao is gravely ill; let's discuss this later."

Jia Xu stopped speaking; by then everyone in the water had been rescued, and all the commanders, big and small, were bound and dragged up the mountain.

Translation: Jia Xu said nothing more; at this moment all the people in the water had been rescued, big and small leaders each bound and dragged up the mountain.

Meanwhile, the bravest and most dashing man had already mounted the Red Hare, carrying Chen Gong, escaped the flood, and rode straight to Lü Bu's camp below Xu City.

Translation: Meanwhile the most valiant and dashing man had already mounted the Red Hare, carrying Chen Gong away from the flood, heading straight for Lu Bu's camp below Xuzhou city.

Then Zhang Fei dragged the bound Xiahou Yuan, trussed like a zongzi, and kicked him to the ground.

Translation: Afterwards Zhang Fei dragged the trussed‑up Xiahou Yuan and kicked him to the ground.

"Hahaha, big brother, this guy's decked out in gold armor and helmet, so flashy—Old Zhang can tell at a glance he's a high officer under Cao Cao!"

Translation: "Hahaha, big brother, this guy's wearing golden armor and helmet, flashy as hell—I, Old Zhang, can tell at a glance he's a high official under Cao Cao!"

Liu Bei had someone step forward and slap Xiahou Yuan's face; Xiahou Yuan gradually regained consciousness, saw the soldiers bound all around, and then saw the Liu banner fluttering in the wind beside him; at this moment he realized he and Lü Bu had been completely defeated.

Translation: Liu Bei ordered someone to step forward and slap Xiahou Yuan's face; Xiahou Yuan slowly came to, saw the soldiers bound all around, and then noticed the fluttering Liu banner in the wind—at this moment Xiahou Yuan realized he and Lü Bu had utterly lost.

The plump, innocent‑looking fellow with a harmless smile and big earlobes before us is the one who finally got the advantage!

Translation: The plump, innocent‑looking fellow with big ears before us is the one who finally reaped the benefit!

Xiahou Yuan grew angrier the more he thought: "I helped you fight Lü Bu for nothing, and now you're flooding me with water?"

Translation: The more Xiahou Yuan thought, the angrier he grew: "I helped you fight Lü Bu for nothing, and now you flood me with water?"

"I've long heard that under Cao Cao there is a pair of generals surnamed Xiahou; you must be General Xiahou Yuan, right?"

Translation: "I've long heard that Cao Mengde's command includes a pair of generals surnamed Xiahou; you must be General Xiahou Yuan, right?"

Xiahou Yuan struggled on the ground twice, trying to rise to preserve his last shred of dignity.

Translation: Xiahou Yuan struggled on the ground twice, trying to rise to preserve his last shred of dignity.

"So what? I am Xiahou Yuan! Liu Bei, you're too treacherous! My lord will certainly not spare you… uh…"

Translation: "What of it? I am Xiahou Yuan! Liu Bei, you're far too deceitful! My lord will surely not spare you… uh…"

Liu Bei saw that this fellow had already broken down, so he waved his hand; two soldiers stepped forward, seized Xiahou Yuan, and stuffed a rag into his mouth; Xiahou Yuan wailed loudly, refusing to yield so easily.

Translation: Liu Bei saw he'd broken down, so he waved his hand; two soldiers stepped forward, seized Xiahou Yuan, and stuffed a rag into his mouth—Xiahou Yuan wailed, refusing to yield so easily.

When he looked at the unconscious Zhang Liao beside him, Liu Bei saw that his health had dropped to 54; it turned out that when Zhang Liao fell into the water, a piece of wood had slammed into his chest, and although he didn't die, his sturdy physique had taken a hit.