却说那进计于刘璋者，乃益州别驾，姓张，名松，字永年。
The man who proposed the plan spoken of in the last chapter was Zhang Song, who belonged to Yizhou and held the small office of Supernumerary Charioteer.
其人生得额钁头尖，鼻僵齿露，身短不满五尺，言语有若铜钟。
He had a broad forehead, protuberant at the temples like a countryman's hoe, and a pointed head.
His nose was flat and his teeth protruded.
He was a dwarf in stature but had a deep voice like a great bell.
刘璋问曰：“别驾有何高见，可解张鲁之危？”
"What proposal have you to offer that may avert this danger?”"asked the Imperial Protector.
松曰：“某闻许都曹操，扫荡中原，吕布、二袁皆为所灭，近又破马超，天下无敌矣。
"My proposal is that we gain the support of Cao Cao.
As we know, he has made a clean sweep of the empire.
Lu Bu went first, and both the Yuans followed, all exterminated.
Lately he has destroyed Ma Chao.
In short he is the one man against whom no one can stand.
主公可备进献之物，松亲往许都，说曹操兴兵取汉中，以图张鲁。
Therefore, my lord, prepare me worthy gifts to take to the capital, and I will get Cao Cao to march an army against Hanzhong, which will keep this Zhang Lu occupied ^+1 so that we shall be left alone."
刘璋大喜，收拾金珠锦绮，为进献之物，遣张松为使。
This met Liu Zhang's views, and so he prepared gold and pearls and rich stuffs, worthy presents for the man of power.
And when these were ready, he appointed Zhang Song his emissary.
松乃暗画西川地理图本藏之，带从人数骑，取路赴许都。
Zhang Song in the meantime occupied his leisure in secretly copying maps and plans of the west country.
When all was ready, he started with a small escort.
早有人报入荆州。
They heard this in Jingzhou,
孔明便使人入许都打探消息。
and Zhuge Liang sent a trusty person to the capital to keep him informed as to all the doings.
却说张松到了许都馆驿中住定，每日去相府伺候，求见曹操。
Zhang Song arrived in Xuchang, and, after he had established himself in his lodging, he made daily visits to the Prime Minister's palace to try to obtain an interview.
原来曹操自破马超回，傲睨得志，每日饮宴，无事少出，国政皆在相府商议。
But the last success over Ma Chao had filled Cao Cao with insufferable pride, and he did nothing but give banquets.
He never appeared except for the most important affairs, and even carried on the business of the state in his own residence.
张松候了三日，方得通姓名。
So Zhang Song waited many days.
But when he got to know the persons who were nearest the Prime Minister,
左右近侍先要贿赂，却才引入。
he bribed them and obtained an audience.
操坐于堂上，松拜毕，操问曰：“汝主刘璋连年不进贡，何也？”
Cao Cao was seated in the high place, and after his visitor had finished salutations, he said, "Your master Liu Zhang has sent no tribute for several years.
Why?”
松曰：“为路途艰难，贼寇窃发，不能通进。”
"Because the roads are dangerous, and thieves and robbers infest them.
Intercourse is restricted."
操叱曰：“吾扫清中原，有何盗贼？”
Cao Cao interrupted in a loud harsh voice, saying, "What thieves and robbers are there when I have cleansed the empire?”
松曰：“南有孙权，北有张鲁，西有刘备，至少者亦带甲十余万，岂得为太平耶？”
"How can you say the land is tranquil when one sees Sun Quan in the south, Zhang Lu and Liu Bei in the west, and everyone of these with armies reckoned in legions?” The weakest of them has one hundred thousand troops."
操先见张松人物猥琐，五分不喜；又闻语言冲撞，遂拂袖而起，转入后堂。
The extraordinary appearance of the emissary had prejudiced Cao Cao from the outset; and when Cao Cao heard these blunt words, he suddenly shook out his sleeves, rose and left the hall.
汝可急急回去！”
The best thing for you is to go home again as quickly as you can."
松笑曰：“吾川中无诌佞之人也。”
But Zhang Song smiled. "We have no plausible flatterers and glib talkers in the River Lands," said he.
忽然阶下一人大喝曰：“汝川中不会谄佞，吾中原岂有谄佞者乎？”
At this, one from below the steps called out, "So you call us plausible and glib then.
And you have none such in your country, eh?”
松观其人，单眉细眼，貌白神清。
Zhang Song looked around and saw the speaker was a man with thin delicate eyebrows crossing narrow eyes set in a pale spiritual face.
问其姓名，乃太尉杨彪之子杨修，字德祖，现为丞相门下掌库主簿。
He asked his name.
It was Yang Xiu, son of the former Regent Marshal Yang Biao.
The young man was then employed as Chair of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister's palace.
此人博学能言，智识过人。
He was deeply read and had the reputation of being a clever controversialist, as Zhang Song knew.