《后汉书·列传·郑孔荀列传》
当初如果臣从官渡退兵，袁绍必定击鼓前进，敌人占了上风而勇气百倍，臣的军队胆怯不前士气低落，有必败的形势，没有一点会胜利的机会。
向使臣退军官度，绍必鼓行而前，敌人怀利以自百，臣众怯沮以丧气，有必败之形，无一捷之势。
If I had retreated from Guandu at that time, Yuan Shao would definitely have pressed forward with drums beating, and the enemy would have gained the upper hand and been filled with courage, while my troops would have been timid and dispirited, and the situation would have been one of certain defeat, with no chance of any victory.
<s>[INST] Highlight and translate the key terms in the Classical Chinese text: 向使臣退军官度，绍必鼓行而前，敌人怀利以自百，臣众怯沮以丧气，有必败之形，无一捷之势。, and explain their significance in the context of the passage. [/INST]
Key terms and their translations:
* **官度** (Guandu): A strategic location in China where a decisive battle was fought between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao in 200 AD.
* **鼓行而前** (pressed forward with drums beating): A military term used to describe an army advancing in formation, with drums beating to keep the pace and boost morale.
* **敌人怀利以自百** (the enemy would have gained the upper hand and been filled with courage): Literally "the enemy would have harbored profit to strengthen themselves".
* **臣众怯沮以丧气** (my troops would have been timid and dispirited): Literally "my troops would have felt timid and discouraged".
* **必败之形** (situation of certain defeat): A situation where defeat is inevitable.
* **一捷之势** (chance of any victory): A chance to achieve even a single victory.

Significance in the context of the passage:
These key terms highlight the potential consequences of Cao Cao's retreat from Guandu. If he had retreated, Yuan Shao would have taken the initiative and gained a psychological advantage, while Cao Cao's troops would have been demoralized. This would have created a situation where Cao Cao's defeat would have been almost certain. However, Cao Cao chose to stay and fight, and ultimately emerged victorious at the Battle of Guandu, which was a turning point in his rise to power.</s>
Highlight and translate the key terms in the Classical Chinese text: 向使臣退军官度，绍必鼓行而前，敌人怀利以自百，臣众怯沮以丧气，有必败之形，无一捷之势。, and explain their significance in the context of the passage.
user
Key terms and their translations:
* **官度** (Guandu): A strategic location in China where a decisive battle was fought between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao in 200 AD.
* **鼓行而前** (pressed forward with drums beating): A military term used to describe an army advancing in formation, with drums beating to keep the pace and boost morale.
* **敌人怀利以自百** (the enemy would have gained the upper hand and been filled with courage): Literally "the enemy would have harbored profit to strengthen themselves".
* **臣众怯沮以丧气** (my troops would have been timid and dispirited): Literally "my troops would have felt timid and discouraged".
* **必败之形** (situation of certain defeat): A situation where defeat is inevitable.
* **一捷之势** (chance of any victory): A chance to achieve even a single victory.

Significance in the context of the passage:
These key terms highlight the potential consequences of Cao Cao's retreat from Guandu. If he had retreated, Yuan Shao would have taken the initiative and gained a psychological advantage, while Cao Cao's troops would have been demoralized. This would have created a situation where Cao Cao's defeat would have been almost certain. However, Cao Cao chose to stay and fight, and ultimately emerged victorious at the Battle of Guandu, which was a turning point in his rise to power.
assistant