――那乔国老乃二乔之父，居于南徐。
The State Patriarch Qiao resided in Nanxu and to his house,
一席话，说得鲁子敬缄口无言；半晌乃曰：“孔明之言，怕不有理；争奈鲁肃身上甚是不便。”
This speech absolutely shut the guest's mouth for a time, and he said no word in reply.
But after an interval he said, "What you say, Zhuge Liang, I think is devoid of reason, and means much unpleasantness for me."
一日，正与孔明闲叙，人报东吴差吕范到来。
One day when he was talking with his adviser, they announced the arrival of Lu Fan who had come on a mission from the South Land.
不识几时可以交割？”
and I should be glad to know when the transfer can take place."
且赤壁之战，我主多负勤劳，众将并皆用命，岂独是汝东吴之为？
Beside, at the battle at the Red Cliffs my lord did good service and acquired great merit while his commanders risked their lives.
Was it solely the strength of your southern soldiers that won that fight?”
东吴西蜀成王霸，千古犹存驻马坡。”
One of them mastered the western mountains.
One ruled by the eastern sea;And the hill to this very dayStill is the Slope Where the Horses Stood. [yip, yip, yip]
两朝旺气皆天数，从此乾坤鼎足成。”
Thus fate then declared for the dynasties twoAnd the tripartite rule there began. [yip, yip, yip]
主公便可应允。
Wherefore you may accept the proposal^+1 and send Sun Qian back with this envoy to arrange the details.
乃令左右牵过马来，飞身上马，驰骤下山，复加鞭上岭，笑谓玄德曰：“南人不能乘马乎？”
Bidding his servants lead up his steed, Sun Quan leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the hill.
Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed. "So the southerners cannot ride, eh?”"said Sun Quan laughing.
乔国老也相劝。
The State Patriarch Qiao also interceded,
乔国老入见国太，言玄德恐人谋害，急急要回。
The State Patriarch Qiao saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Liu Bei's desire to leave.
乔国老劝曰：“事已如此，刘皇叔乃汉室宗亲，不如真个招他为婿，免得出丑。”
The State Patriarch Qiao tried to soothe her, saying, "After all Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, is a scion of the reigning family.
You can do nothing better now than to welcome him as a son-in-law and not let this ugly story get abroad."
乔国老曰：“令爱已许刘玄德为夫人，今玄德已到，何故相瞒？”
"The betrothal of your beloved daughter to Liu Bei.
And he has arrived too, as surely you know."
乔国老曰：“老夫已知多日了，今特来贺喜。”
"I heard it several days ago," said the State Patriarch Qiao. "And I came just now to offer my felicitations."
乔国老曰：“若用此计，便得荆州，也被天下人耻笑。
Said the State Patriarch Qiao, "By this means you may indeed recover Jingzhou, but you will be a shameful laughing stock to all the world.
乾曰：“主公只是哀求乔国老，早早毕姻，免生别事。”
Sun Qian advised, "It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further complications could arise."
二人共览之次，江风浩荡，洪波滚雪，白浪掀天。
Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene.
And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven.
二人叙礼毕，遂入方丈见国太。
said the Dowager delighted with the appearance of Liu Bei.
肃曰：“主公闻令侄弃世，特具薄礼，遣某前来致祭。
Lu Su said, "Hearing of the death of your nephew, my lord Sun Quan has prepared some gifts and sent me to take his place at the funeral sacrifices.
二人立马于山坡之上，扬鞭大笑。
The two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their whips and laughing.
云曰：“来日此会，多凶少吉，云自引五百军保护。”
Zhao Yun said, "The morrow bodes rather ill than well.
However, your escort shall be there."
亮只在屏风后潜听。
I will just retire behind the screen and listen.
人皆回报：“果有此事。
They quickly returned to say: "The whole city know of the coming wedding,
今只要两家和气，休教曹贼笑话。”
The one thing now is for our two houses to live in harmony and not give our common enemy, Cao Cao, an opportunity against us."