盖知其能言有胆，故欲使献诈降书。
Now Huang Gai had thought of Kan Ze to present the treacherous letter to Cao Cao, as Kan Ze's gifts made him most suitable.
泽欣然应诺曰：“大丈夫处世，不能立功建业，不几与草木同腐乎！
Kan Ze accepted with enthusiasm, saying, "^+1When you, my friend, have suffered so much for our lord, could I spare myself?” No; while a person lives, he must go on fulfilling his mission, or he is no better than the herbs that rot in the field."
黄盖滚下床来，拜而谢之。
Huang Gai slipped off the couch and came over to salute him.
泽曰：“事不可缓，即今便行。”
"However, this matter must speed," continued Kan Ze. "There is no time to lose."
便教左右推出斩之。
Cao Cao ordered the lictors to thrust forth the messenger and take off his head.
泽面不改容，仰天大笑。
On the contrary, he laughed aloud.
操教牵回，叱曰：“吾已识破奸计，汝何故哂笑？”
At this Cao Cao told them to bring him back and harshly said to him, "What do you find to laugh at now that I have foiled you and your ruse has failed?”
操曰：“吾自幼熟读兵书，深知奸伪之道。
"I have read all the books on the art of war, and I am well versed in all ways of misleading the enemy.
泽曰：“你且说书中那件事是奸计？”
"And so you say that the letter is a vicious trick?”"said Kan Ze.
操曰：“我说出你那破绽，教你死而无怨：你既是真心献书投降，如何不明约几时？
"What I say is that your little slip has sent you to the death you risked.
If the thing was real and you were sincere, why does not the letter name a time of coming over?”
阚泽听罢，大笑曰：“亏汝不惶恐，敢自夸熟读兵书！
Kan Ze waited to the end and then laughed louder than ever, saying, "I am so glad you are not frightened but can still boast of your knowledge of the books of war.
可惜吾屈死汝手！”
But how sad to think I die at the hand of such an ignorant fellow!"
操曰：“你且说我那几般不是处？”
"Well then, tell me where is any fault."
但有死而已。”
You can finish me and let there be an end of it."
泽曰：“岂不闻背主作窃，不可定期？
"Do you not know that when one is going to desert one's master and become a renegade, one cannot say exactly when the chance will occur?”
倘今约定日期，急切下不得手，这里反来接应，事必泄漏。
If one binds one's self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered.
操闻言，改容下席而谢曰：“某见事不明，误犯尊威，幸勿挂怀。”
So you really are an ignorant fellow!" At this Cao Cao changed his manner, got up, and came over to the prisoner bowing, "I did not see clearly.
That is quite true.
I offended you, and I hope you will forget it."
盖曰：“书已修下了。”
"The letter is already written," said Huang Gai.
泽领了书，只就当夜扮作渔翁，驾小舟，望北岸而行。
Kan Ze received it and left.
That night he disguised himself as an old fisherman and started in a small punt for the north shore,
是夜寒星满天。
under the cold, glittering light of the stars.
三更时候，早到曹军水寨。
Soon he drew near the enemy's camp and was captured by the patrol.
巡江军士拿住，连夜报知曹操。
Without waiting for day, they informed Cao Cao,
军士曰：“只一渔翁，自称是东吴参谋阚泽，有机密事来见。”
"No," said they, "he is alone, just an old fisherman.
And he says he is an adviser in the service of the South Land named Kan Ze, and he has come on secret business."
军士引阚泽至，只见帐上灯烛辉煌，曹操凭几危坐，问曰：“汝既是东吴参谋，来此何干？”
and Kan Ze was led in.Cao Cao was seated in a brilliantly lighted tent.
He was leaning on a small table, and as soon as he saw the prisoner, he said harshly, "You are an adviser of East Wu.
What then are you doing here?”