却说周瑜立于山顶，观望良久，忽然望后而倒，口吐鲜血，不省人事。
In the last chapter Zhou Yu was seized with sudden illness as he watched the fleets of his enemy.
诸将皆来动问，尽皆愕然相顾曰：“江北百万之众，虎踞鲸吞。
and his officers came in multitudes to inquire after himThey looked at each other, saying, "What a pity our general should be taken ill, when Cao Cao's legions threaten so terribly!
不争都督如此，倘曹兵一至，如之奈何？
What would happen if Cao Cao attacked?” Messengers with the evil tidings were sent to Sun Quan, while the physicians did their best for the invalid.
”慌忙差人申报吴侯，一面求医调治。
What would happen if Cao Cao attacked?” Messengers with the evil tidings were sent to Sun Quan, while the physicians did their best for the invalid.
却说鲁肃见周瑜卧病，心中忧闷，来见孔明，言周瑜卒病之事。
Lu Su was particularly sad at the illness of his patron and went to see Zhuge Liang to talk it over.
即请孔明同去看病。
Lu Su prayed Zhuge Liang to go to see the sick man.
肃先入见周瑜。
They went, and Lu Su entered first.
瑜曰：“心中呕逆，药不能下。”
"My gorge rises at the thought.
I could not."
瑜曰：“‘人有旦夕祸福’，岂能自保？”
"How can anyone feel secure?” We are constantly the playthings of luck, good or bad."
孔明笑曰：“天有不测风云，人又岂能料乎？”
"Yes.
Heaven's winds and clouds are not to be measured.
No one can reckon their comings and goings, can they?”
孔明曰：“须先理其气；气若顺，则呼吸之间，自然痊可。”
"You must get the humors into good order before the drugs will have any effect."
瑜料孔明必知其意，乃以言挑之曰：“欲得顺气，当服何药？”
Zhou Yu began to think Zhuge Liang knew what was really the matter and resolved to test him. "What should be taken to produce a favorable temper?”"said Zhou Yu.
孔明索纸笔，屏退左右，密书十六字曰：“欲破曹公，宜用火攻；万事俱备，只欠东风。”
Zhuge Liang got out writing materials, sent away the servants, and then wrote a few words: [hip, hip, hip]"To defeat Cao CaoYou have to use fire;All are in your wish,But wind from the east." [yip, yip, yip]
写毕，递与周瑜曰：“此都督病源也。”
This he gave to the sick general, saying, "That is the origin of your illness."
瑜见了大惊，暗思：“孔明真神人也！
Zhou Yu read the words with great surprise, and ^+1it confirmed his secret opinion that Zhuge Liang really was rather more than human.
只索以实情告之。”
He decided that the only course was to be open and tell him all.
乃笑曰：“先生已知我病源，将用何药治之？
So he said, "Since you know the cause of the disease, what do you recommend as treatment?”
事在危急，望即赐教。”
The need of a remedy is very urgent."
孔明曰：“亮虽不才，曾遇异人，传授奇门遁甲天书，可以呼风唤雨。
"I have no great talent," said Zhuge Liang, "but I have had to do with humans of no ordinary gifts from whom I have received certain magical books called ‘Concealing Method'.
I can call the winds and summon the rains.
都督若要东南风时，可于南屏山建一台，名曰‘七星坛’：高九尺，作三层，用一百二十人，手执旗幡围绕。
Since you need a southeast breeze, General, you must build an altar on the Southern Hills, the Altar of the Seven Stars.
It must be nine spans high, with three steps, surrounded by a guard of one hundred and twenty humans bearing flags.
亮于台上作法，借三日三夜东南大风，助都督用兵，何如？”
On this altar I will work a spell to procure a strong southeast gale for three days and three nights.
Do you approve?”
孔明曰：“十一月二十日甲子祭风，至二十二日丙寅风息，如何？”
"I will sacrifice for a wind for three days from the twentieth day of the moon.
Will that suit you?”
瑜闻言大喜，矍然而起。
Zhou Yu was delighted and hastily rose from his couch to give the necessary orders.
便传令差五百精壮军士，往南屏山筑坛；拨一百二十人，执旗守坛，听候使令。
He commanded that five hundred men should be sent to the mountains to build the altar, and he told off the guard of one hundred and twenty to bear the flags and be at the orders of Zhuge Liang.