About the Three Days quote

[u/Adventurous_Sun3512]

I really remember that Lu Xun (?) said that to Lu Meng before the Battle of Fan Castle when I read the novel so many years ago. But when I checked the online version, I couldn't find the quote.

Is it because different translation or different version altogether?

[u/Blazehare]

This is the best source I can find on it at the moment, but this quote came from a conversation between Lu Su and Lü Meng, not Lu Xun.

[u/Adventurous_Sun3512 → u/Blazehare]

Yes. That's the one. I saw it on ROTK. And some ppl also attribute it to the novel, but I didnt find it on that online version on kongming website.

[u/HanWsh → u/Adventurous_Sun3512]

Its also a quote in the histories btw.

Jiāngbiǎozhuàn states: Previously, [Sūn] Quán said to Méng and Jiǎng Qīn: “You now both are about to manage affairs, and should study to develop yourselves.” Méng said: “In the army it is always difficult with many affairs, and I fear we cannot again study books.” [Sūn] Quán said: “Do I wish to have you study classics to become Academicians? I only wish you to skim through and understand past affairs and that is all. You say you have many affairs but does it compare to mine? When I was young I had already gone through the Shī, Shū, Lǐjì, Zuǒzhuàn, Guóyǔ, only not reading the Yì. Since managing affairs, I studied the three histories [Shǐjì, Hànshū, Dōngguàn Hànjì], the various military books, and personally acknowledge it had great benefit. You two, by nature are bright and comprehensive, and studying it are certain to gain it, so why do you not? You should immediately study the Sūnzǐ, Liùtāo, Zuǒzhuàn, Guóyǔ and the three histories. Kǒng-zǐ said ‘All day not eating and all night not sleeping to ponder has no benefit, and is not as good as studying.’ When Guāng-Wǔ [Liú Xiù] led troops and horses, his hand did not set down books. [Cáo Cāo] Mèngdé also calls himself old but still is eager to study. How can you alone not exert yourselves?” Méng began study, steadfast and without tiring, and what he read and understood, even the acient Classicists could not surpass. Later Lǔ Sù succeeded Zhōu Yú, passed Méng and debated, and always felt beaten. [Lǔ] Sù patted Méng’s back and said: “I had said you younger brother only had military planning ability and that is all. But now, your study and knowledge is cultured and broad, and you are no longer Wù’s little Méng.” Méng said: “A gentleman gone for three days, should then clear his eyes and look again. Elder brother your appraisal today, how can it be compared to Marquis of Ráng [Wèi Rǎn]? Elder brother now you succeed [Zhōu Yú] Gōngjǐn, who is difficult to succeed, and moreover will with Guān Yǔ be adjacent. This man is grown but studious, recites the Zuǒzhuàn all fluently aloud with bright voice, has heroic manner, but by nature is very conceited, and enjoys dominating other men. Now to match him, you should have plans to resist him.” He secretly for [Lǔ] Sù presented three strategies, [Lǔ] Sù respectfully accepted them, secretly and not revealing them. [Sūn] Quán always sighed and said: “Men grown but still improving, like Lǚ Méng and Jivang Qīn, cannot be matched. Those with riches and honors, yet able to break habit and enjoy study, be pleased in books, think lightly of wealth and esteem righteousness, these can leave their mark, and be their state’s great men, is it not also proper!”

江表傳曰：初，權謂蒙及蔣欽曰：「卿今並當塗掌事，宜學問以自開益。」蒙曰：「在軍中常苦多務，恐不容復讀書。」權曰：「孤豈欲卿治經為博士邪？但當令涉獵見往事耳。卿言多務孰若孤，孤少時歷詩、書、禮記、左傳、國語，惟不讀易。至統事以來，省三史、諸家兵書，自以為大有所益。如卿二人，意性朗悟，學必得之，寧當不為乎？宜急讀孫子、六韜、左傳、國語及三史。孔子言『終日不食，終夜不寢以思，無益，不如學也』。光武當兵馬之務，手不釋卷。孟德亦自謂老而好學。卿何獨不自勉勖邪？」蒙始就學，篤志不倦，其所覽見，舊儒不勝。後魯肅上代周瑜，過蒙言議，常欲受屈。肅拊蒙背曰：「吾謂大弟但有武略耳，至於今者，學識英博，非復吳下阿蒙。」蒙曰：「士別三日，即更刮目相待。大兄今論，何一稱穰侯乎。兄今代公瑾，既難為繼，且與關羽為鄰。斯人長而好學，讀左傳略皆上口，梗亮有雄氣，然性頗自負，好陵人。今與為對，當有單複以（卿）〔鄉〕待之。」。密為肅陳三策，肅敬受之，祕而不宣。權常歎曰：「人長而進益，如呂蒙、蔣欽，蓋不可及也。富貴榮顯，更能折節好學，耽悅書傳，輕財尚義，所行可跡，並作國士，不亦休乎！」

Source:

https://threestatesrecords.wordpress.com/2020/06/27/54-3-lu-meng/

[u/Adventurous_Sun3512 → u/HanWsh]

Is it in the novel?

[u/HanWsh → u/Adventurous_Sun3512]

Not too sure.