却说曹操欲使于禁赴樊城救援，问众将谁敢作先锋。
The bold and self-confident leader of Cao Cao's army who promised to make an end of Guan Yu was Pang De.
操大喜曰：“关某威震华夏，未逢对手，今遇令明，真劲敌也。”
Cao Cao was glad to find such a man. "That fellow Guan Yu has a great reputation, and in the whole empire he has no rival.
He has not met his match yet, but now you are going, he will find all his work cut out." So spoke Cao Cao.
遂加于禁为征南将军，加宠德为征西都先锋，大起七军，前往樊城。
He conferred on Yu Jin the title of General Who Corrects the South and on Pang De that of General Who Corrects the West, and he made Pang De Leader of the Van.
这七军，皆北方强壮之士。
The two generals marched out with their seven armies to Fancheng.
These seven armies were composed of sturdy fellows from the north,
两员领军将校：一名董衡，一名董超，当日引各头目参拜于禁。
led by two of their own Marching Commanders named Dong Heng and Dong Chao.
Hearing who was to command them, these two, supported by their generals, went to see Yu Jin and represented that the Leader of the Van was unsuitable.
董衡曰：“今将军提七枝重兵，去解樊城之厄，期在必胜。
Dong Heng said, "Sir General, the expedition you lead is for the relief of Fancheng, and it can confidently expect victory.
乃用庞德为先锋，岂不误事？”
But is it wise to place such as Pang De in command of the van?”
衡曰：“庞德原系马超手下副将，不得已而降魏。
"Because Pang De was once under the command of Ma Chao.
He had no alternative but to surrender and fight for Wei.
今其故主在蜀，职居‘五虎上将’，况其亲兄庞柔亦在西川为官，今使他为先锋，是泼油救火也，将军何不启知魏王，别换一人去？”
But his former chief is now in high honor in Shu, one of the Five Tiger Generals, and his own brother Pang Rou is there, too, as an officer.
To send Pang De as Leader of the Van just now seems like trying to extinguish a fire with oil.
Would it not be well to inform the Prince of Wei and ask him to exchange this man for another?”
禁闻此语，遂连夜入府启知曹操。
Without further argument or delay, Yu Jin went to see the Prince and laid before him the objections to Pang De's appointment.
操省悟，即唤庞德至阶下，令纳下先锋印。
As soon as Cao Cao understood, he summoned Pang De to the steps and bade him yield his seal as Leader of the Van.
操曰：“孤本无猜疑，但今马超现在西川，汝兄庞柔亦在西川，俱佐刘备。
I was just about to do my best for you." "I do not doubt you, but Ma Chao is now in the west, and your brother also---both in the service of Liu Bei.
孤纵不疑，奈众口何？”
I myself have no doubts, but it is what all the crowd are saying. +What can I do?”
德昔在故乡时，与兄同居，嫂甚不贤，德乘醉杀之，兄恨德入骨髓，誓不相见，恩已断矣。
When my brother and I were at home together, his wife was a wicked woman, and I slew her while I was drunk.
My brother has never forgiven me, but is permeated with hate for me.
He swears never to see me again, and we are enemies.
故主马超，有勇无谋，兵败地亡，孤身入川，今与德各事其主，旧义已绝。
For my old master, Ma Chao, I have profound contempt.
He is bold, but only that, and was in a pitiable and dejected state when he found his way to the west.
Now, like me, he serves his own master, but our friendship is at an end.
德感大王恩遇，安敢萌异志？
How could I think of another after your kindness to me?”
操乃扶起庞德，抚慰曰：“孤素知卿忠义，前言特以安众人之心耳。
Cao Cao raised Pang De from the ground and soothed him, saying, "I have always known what a noble man you are, and what I said just now was to satisfy the feelings of other people.
德拜谢回家，令匠人造一木榇。
Then Pang De took his leave and returned to his house, where he ordered the artificers to make him a coffin.
次日，请诸友赴席，列榇于堂。
Next he invited all his friends to a banquet, and the coffin was set out in the reception room for all to see.
众亲友见之，皆惊问曰：“将军出师，何用此不祥之物？”
And they asked one another, "What can that inauspicious thing mean putting out on the eve of a campaign?”
德举杯谓亲友曰：“吾受魏王厚恩，誓以死报。
By and by, drinking to them, Pang De said, "The Prince of Wei has been generous to me, and I am pledged to show my gratitude to the death.
众皆嗟叹。
The terrible omen saddened the guests, and they fell to sighing.
德唤其妻李氏与其子庞会出，谓其妻曰：“吾今为先锋，义当效死疆场。
Then Pang De called in his wife, Lady Li, and bade her bring their son Pang Hui, whom he commended to her care. "I have been appointed Leader of the Van of this new expedition against Guan Yu, and my duty bids me seek death or glory on the battlefield.
吾儿有异相，长大必当与吾报仇也。”
Alas, the child has been born ill-starred, and when he grows up he will have to avenge a father."