且守剑阁，徐图退敌之计。”
Now we must defend this pass, and then evolve a strategy." They kept good guard at Saber Pass, while they discussed future plans.
维曰：“成都山险地峻，非可易取，不必忧也。”
Jiang Wei replied, "The natural defenses of Chengdu are excellent: It is hard to cross over the mountains and climb the steep roads.
No one needs fear."
正言间，忽报诸葛绪领兵杀至关下，维大怒，急引五千兵杀下关来，直撞入魏阵中，左冲右突，杀得诸葛绪大败而走，退数十里下寨，魏军死者无数。
Soon after this, Zhuge Xu appeared at the pass challenging the defenders.
Jiang Wei forthwith placed himself at the head of five thousand troops and went down to meet the Wei army.
蜀兵抢了许多马匹器械，维收兵回关。
He gained an easy victory, slaying many of the enemy and taking much spoil in horses and weapons.
While Jiang Wei went back to the pass,
却说钟会离剑阁二十里下寨，诸葛绪自来伏罪。
the defeated Zhuge Xu made his way to Zhong Hui's camp, seven miles away, to confess his failure.
绪曰：“维诡计多端，诈取雍州；绪恐雍州有失，引兵去救，维乘机走脱；绪因赶至关下，不想又为所败。”
"Jiang Wei played so many deceitful tricks.
He pretended to be going to take Yongzhou, and I thought that was very important, so I sent troops to rescue it.
Then he meanly got away.
I followed to the pass, but never thought he would come out and defeat my troops."
会曰：“吾奉天子明诏、晋公钧命，特来伐蜀。
But Zhong Hui swaggeringly replied, "I have a command from the Emperor and orders from the Prime Minister to attack Shu.
众皆力劝。
However, other leaders interceded for Zhuge Xu,
会乃将诸葛绪用槛车载赴洛阳，任晋公发落；随将绪所领之兵，收在部下调遣。
and Zhong Hui did not put him to death, but sent him a caged prisoner to the capital to be judged.The surviving soldiers were added to Zhong Hui's army.
艾大怒曰：“吾与汝官品一般，吾久镇边疆，于国多劳，汝安敢妄自尊大耶！”
who was angry in his turn and said, "His rank and mine are the same.
I have held a frontier post for years and sustained many fatigues in the country's service.
Who is he that he gives himself such airs?”
子邓忠劝曰：“小不忍则乱大谋，父亲若与他不睦，必误国家大事。
His son Deng Zhong endeavored to appease his wrath. "Father, if you cannot suffer small things, you may upset the grand policy of the state.
Unfriendliness with him may do great harm,
左右答曰：“只有十数骑。”
"He has only some twenty horsemen," they replied.
会乃令帐上帐下列武士数百人。
Zhong Hui had a large body of guards drawn up about his tent, +and then gave orders that his visitor should be led in.
艾下马入见。
Deng Ai dismounted,+and the two men saluted each other.
艾见军容甚肃，心中不安，乃以言挑之曰：“将军得了汉中，乃朝廷之大幸也，可定策早取剑阁。”
But the visitor did not like the look on the faces of his host's guards.
He decided to find out what Zhong Hui was thinking. "The capture of Hanzhong is a piece of excellent fortune for the state," said Deng Ai. "The capture of Saber Pass can now be accomplished easily."
艾再三推称无能。
Deng Ai tried to evade answering the question, admitting he had no good suggestion.
艾答曰：“以愚意度之，可引一军从阴平小路出汉中德阳亭，用奇兵径取成都，姜维必撤兵来救，将军乘虚就取剑阁，可获全功。”
Finally he said, "In my simple opinion one might proceed by by-roads from the pass through the Yinping Mountains to Deyang in Hanzhong, and thence make a surprise march to Chengdu.
Jiang Wei must go to its defense, and you, General, can take the Saber Pass."
二人饮酒相别。
They drank, and Deng Ai took his leave.
会回本帐与诸将曰：“人皆谓邓艾有能。
Zhong Hui went back to his own tent filled with contempt for Deng Ai's plan. which he thought impracticable. "They say Deng Ai is able.
众问其故。
"But why?”"said they.
会曰：“阴平小路，皆高山峻岭，若蜀以百余人守其险要，断其归路，则邓艾之兵皆饿死矣。
"Because the by-roads by Yinping Mountains are impassable, nothing but lofty cliffs and steep hills.
A hundred defenders at a critical point could cut all communications, and Deng Ai's army would starve to death.
吾只以正道而行，何愁蜀地不破乎！”
I shall go by the direct road, and there is no fear about the result.
I shall overcome Shu."
却说邓艾出辕门上马，回顾从者曰：“钟会待吾若何？”
Deng Ai went out to the main gate of the court.
While mounting, he said to his followers, "What did Zhong Hui think of me?”
回到本寨，师纂、邓忠一班将士接问曰：“今日与钟镇西有何高论？”
He was received at his own camp by Shi Zuan and his son Deng Zhong, and a party of others of his generals, and they asked what the conversation had been about.