权大喜，即遣使往鄱阳请周瑜议事。
But Zhou Yu was already on the way.
原来周瑜在鄱阳湖训练水师，闻曹操大军至汉上，便星夜回柴桑郡议军机事。
He had been training his naval forces on Poyang Lake when he heard of the approach of Cao Cao's hosts and had started for Chaisang without loss of time.
使者未发，周瑜已先到。
So, before the messenger ordered to call him could start, he had already arrived.
鲁肃与瑜最厚，先来接着，将前项事细述一番。
As he and Lu Su were close friends, the latter went to welcome him and told him of all that had happened.
周瑜方才歇息。
Zhou Yu had many other visitors.
忽报张昭、顾雍、张纮、步骘四人来相探。
First came Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, Gu Yong, and Bu Zhi to represent their faction to find out what might be afoot.
瑜接入堂中坐定，叙寒温毕。
They were received, and after the exchange of the usual commonplaces,
昭曰：“曹操拥众百万，屯于汉上，昨传檄文至此，欲请主公会猎于江夏。
"Cao Cao and his hordes are encamped up the Han River.
He has just sent letters asking our lord to hunt with him in Jiangxia.
He may have a desire to absorb this country but,
虽有相吞之意，尚未露其形。
if so, the details of his designs are still secret.
昭等劝主公且降之，庶免江东之祸。
We prayed our master to give in his submission and so avoid the horrors of war,
不想鲁子敬从江夏带刘备军师诸葛亮至此，彼因自欲雪愤，特下说词以激主公。
but now Lu Su has returned bringing with him the Directing Instructor of Liu Bei's army, Zhuge Liang.
Zhuge Liang, desiring to avenge himself for the recent defeat, has talked our lord into a mind for war,
子敬却执迷不悟，正欲待都督一决。”
and Lu Su persists in supporting that policy.
They only await your final decision."
瑜曰：“吾亦欲降久矣。
Zhou Yu said, "The fact is I have also desired to submit for a long time.
众人皆曰：“吾等都不愿降！”
"Not one of us is willing to surrender," cried all the others.
瑜曰：“吾正欲与曹操决战，安肯投降！
"My desire also is to decide matters with Cao Cao on the battlefield.
How could we think of submission?”
程普等别去。
So the war party left.
又未几，诸葛瑾、吕范等一班儿文官相候
They were quickly succeeded by Zhuge Jin, Lu Fan, and their faction.
瑜迎入，讲礼方毕，诸葛瑾曰：“舍弟诸葛亮自汉上来，言刘豫州欲结东吴，共伐曹操，文武商议未定。
They were brought in and, after the usual courtesies, Zhuge Jin said, "My brother has come down the river saying that Liu Bei desires to ally himself with our lord against Cao Cao.
The civil and military hold different opinions as to the course to be pursued.
因舍弟为使，瑾不敢多言，专候都督来决此事。”
But as my brother is so deeply concerned, I am unwilling to say much on either side.
We are awaiting your decision." +"And what do you think about it?"asked Zhou Yu. +"Submission is an easy road to tranquillity, while the result of war is hard to foretell."
来日同至府下定议。”
Come tomorrow to the palace, and the decision shall be announced."
瑾等辞退。
The trimmers took their leave.
瑜请入，亦叙谈此事。
and their supporters, also desirous of discussing the same thing,
有要战者，有要降者，互相争论。
and they told him that opinions differed greatly, some being for peace and others for war.One party constantly disputed with the other.
瑜曰：“不必多言，来日都到府下公议。”
"I must not say much now," replied Zhou Yu, "but you will see tomorrow in the palace, when the matter will be fully debated."