Chapter 20: Cao Cao Hunts at Xutian; Imperial Uncle Dong Receives a Secret Edict
CHAPTER 20: Cao Cao Holds a Hunt at Xutian; Imperial Uncle Dong Receives an Edict in the Inner Chamber
The story goes that Cao Cao raised his sword to kill Zhang Liao, but Liu Bei grabbed his arm, and Guan Yu knelt before him. Liu Bei said, “A man of such ardent loyalty should be kept and employed.” Guan Yu said, “I have always known Wen Yuan to be a man of loyalty and righteousness, and I am willing to stake my life to guarantee him.” Cao Cao threw down his sword and laughed, saying, “I, too, know that Wen Yuan is a loyal and righteous man, so I was merely jesting.” Thereupon he personally untied his bonds, took off his own robe and put it on him, and invited him to take the seat of honor. Zhang Liao, moved by his sincerity, surrendered. Cao Cao appointed Zhang Liao as a General of the Household, bestowed upon him the title of a Marquis within the Passes, and sent him to pacify Zang Ba. When Zang Ba heard that Lü Bu was dead and Zhang Liao had surrendered, he also led his troops to submit. Cao Cao rewarded him handsomely. Zang Ba then brought Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yin Li to surrender, only Chang Xi refused to yield. Cao Cao appointed Zang Ba as the Grand Administrator of Langya. Sun Guan and the others were also given official posts, and they were ordered to guard the coastal regions of Qing and Xu provinces. Lü Bu’s wife and daughter were loaded into carts and sent back to Xuchang. The three armies were generously feasted, and the camp was struck as the army returned in triumph. Passing through Xuzhou, the people burned incense and blocked the road, begging to keep Lord Liu as the provincial governor. Cao Cao said, “Lord Liu’s merits are great; let him first see the Son of Heaven to receive a title, and it will not be too late to return.” The people kowtowed in thanks. Cao Cao summoned the Chariot and Cavalry General Che Zhou and ordered him to temporarily govern Xuzhou. Cao Cao’s main army returned to Xuchang, where meritorious officers were rewarded, and Liu Bei was lodged in a residence near the Chancellor’s mansion.
The next day, Emperor Xian held court, and Cao Cao presented a memorial reporting Liu Bei’s military achievements, leading Liu Bei to an audience with the emperor. Liu Bei, in court robes, knelt at the vermilion steps. The emperor summoned him to the hall and asked, “Who is your ancestor?” Liu Bei replied, “Your subject is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a great-great-grandson of Emperor Jing, grandson of Liu Xiong, and son of Liu Hong.” The emperor ordered the imperial genealogical records to be brought and examined, and commanded the Chief of the Imperial Clan to read them aloud:
Emperor Jing had fourteen sons. The seventh son was Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng. Liu Sheng bore Liu Zhen, Marquis of Lucheng. Liu Zhen bore Liu Ang, Marquis of Pei. Liu Ang bore Liu Lu, Marquis of Zhang. Liu Lu bore Liu Lian, Marquis of Yishui. Liu Lian bore Liu Ying, Marquis of Qinyang. Liu Ying bore Liu Jian, Marquis of Anguo. Liu Jian bore Liu Ai, Marquis of Guangling. Liu Ai bore Liu Xian, Marquis of Jiaoshui. Liu Xian bore Liu Shu, Marquis of Zuyi. Liu Shu bore Liu Yi, Marquis of Qiyang. Liu Yi bore Liu Bi, Marquis of Yuanze. Liu Bi bore Liu Da, Marquis of Yingchuan. Liu Da bore Liu Buyi, Marquis of Fengling. Liu Buyi bore Liu Hui, Marquis of Jichuan. Liu Hui bore Liu Xiong, Prefect of Dong Commandery. Liu Xiong bore Liu Hong. Liu Hong held no office. Liu Bei is the son of Liu Hong.
When the emperor examined the genealogy, Liu Bei turned out to be the emperor’s uncle. The emperor was overjoyed and invited Liu Bei to a side hall to observe the rites of uncle and nephew. The emperor thought to himself, “Cao Cao monopolizes power, and matters of state are beyond my control. Now I have gained this heroic uncle—I have a helper!” Thereupon he appointed Liu Bei as General of the Left and Marquis of Yicheng. After a banquet was held and concluded, Liu Bei thanked the emperor and left the court. From then on, everyone called him Imperial Uncle Liu.
When Cao Cao returned to his mansion, Xun Yu and a group of advisors came to pay their respects and said, “The Son of Heaven has recognized Liu Bei as an imperial uncle; I fear this will not benefit Your Excellency.” Cao Cao said, “Since he has been acknowledged as an imperial uncle, if I command him by the emperor’s decree, he will dare not disobey all the more. Moreover, I keep him in Xuchang; in name he is near the sovereign, but in reality he is within my grasp. What have I to fear? What I do worry about is Grand Commandant Yang Biao, who is a relative of Yuan Shu. If he acts as an inside man for the two Yuans, the harm would be considerable. He should be eliminated at once.” So he secretly sent someone to falsely accuse Yang Biao of colluding with Yuan Shu, and had Yang Biao arrested and thrown into prison, ordering Man Chong to try the case.
At that time, Kong Rong, the Grand Administrator of Beihai, was in Xuchang. He remonstrated with Cao Cao, saying, “Lord Yang’s family has been pure and virtuous for four generations. How can he be punished because of his connection to the Yuans?” Cao Cao said, “This is the court’s intention.” Kong Rong said, “If King Cheng of Zhou had wanted to kill the Duke of Shao, could the Duke of Zhou claim ignorance?” Cao Cao, unable to persist, dismissed Yang Biao from his post and sent him back to his hometown. The Court Gentleman Zhao Yan, angered by Cao Cao’s tyranny, submitted a memorial impeaching Cao Cao for disobeying the emperor’s will and arbitrarily arresting a high minister. Cao Cao flew into a rage, immediately arrested Zhao Yan, and had him executed. From then on, none of the officials dared not to be terrified. The advisor Cheng Yu urged Cao Cao, saying, “Now Your Excellency’s prestige grows daily. Why not seize this opportunity to undertake the enterprise of a king or hegemon?” Cao Cao said, “There are still many high ministers at court assisting the government. I cannot act rashly. I should invite the Son of Heaven to go hunting, to observe the situation.”
Thereupon he selected fine horses, famed falcons, and swift hounds, and prepared all the bows and arrows. First, he assembled troops outside the city, then entered the palace to invite the Son of Heaven to go hunting. The emperor said, “Hunting is hardly the proper way.” Cao Cao said, “The ancient emperors conducted spring searches, summer seedlings, autumn hunts, and winter expeditions in all four seasons, going into the outskirts to display military might to the world. Now is a time of turmoil across the land; it is fitting to use hunting to practice military affairs.” The emperor dared not refuse, so he mounted the Xiaoyao Steed, took up the Precious Carved Bow and Golden Arrow, and set out from the city with the imperial procession. Liu Bei, together with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, each bent their bows and fixed arrows, wore hidden armor beneath their robes, bore weapons, and led several dozen cavalrymen to accompany the imperial carriage out of Xuchang. Cao Cao, riding the Claw-Yellow Flying Lightning Horse, led a hundred thousand troops and joined the emperor in hunting at Xutian. The soldiers spread out to form a hunting enclosure, over two hundred li in circumference. Cao Cao rode side by side with the emperor, only a horse’s head behind. Behind him were all his trusted generals and officers. The civil and military officials followed at a distance, serving from afar; none dared to draw near.
That day, Emperor Xian rode to Xutian, and Liu Bei paid his respects by the roadside. The emperor said, “Today I wish to see the Imperial Uncle shoot.” Liu Bei accepted the command and mounted his horse. Suddenly a hare was startled from the grass. Liu Bei shot it, and one arrow struck the hare squarely. The emperor cheered. Turning past a earthen mound, they saw a large deer startled from the brambles. The emperor shot three arrows in succession but failed to hit it. He turned to Cao Cao and said, “You shoot it.” Cao Cao then borrowed the emperor’s Precious Carved Bow and Golden Arrow, drew the bow to its full extent, and shot. The arrow struck the deer squarely in the back, and it fell in the grass. The officials and officers, seeing the Golden Arrow, thought it had been shot by the emperor, and all rushed forward to shout “Ten thousand years!” to the emperor. Cao Cao spurred his horse straight out and placed himself in front of the emperor to receive the cheers. Everyone’s faces changed color.
Guan Yu, standing behind Liu Bei, grew furious. His reclining-silk eyebrows shot up, his phoenix eyes flashed wide. He raised his blade and urged his horse forward, about to charge out and kill Cao Cao. Liu Bei saw this and hastily waved his hand and signaled with his eyes. Seeing his elder brother act thus, Guan Yu dared not move. Liu Bei bowed and congratulated Cao Cao, saying, “Your Excellency’s divine archery is rarely matched in this world!” Cao Cao laughed and said, “This is merely the emperor’s great fortune.” Thereupon he turned his horse to congratulate the emperor, but did not return the Precious Carved Bow, hanging it from his own person instead.
The hunt concluded, and a banquet was held at Xutian. After the feast, the imperial procession returned to Xuchang. Everyone went to their quarters to rest. Guan Yu asked Liu Bei, “That traitor Cao Cao insults his sovereign and oversteps his bounds. I wanted to kill him to rid the state of a pest. Why did you, elder brother, stop me?” Liu Bei said, “One does not throw a stone at a rat for fear of breaking the valuable vase nearby. Cao Cao was only a horse’s head away from the emperor, and his trusted men were all around, attending him closely. If you, my brother, had acted in a moment of anger and acted rashly, and if things had gone wrong and the Son of Heaven had been harmed, the blame would have fallen on us.” Guan Yu said, “If we do not kill this traitor today, he will certainly become a calamity later.” Liu Bei said, “For now, keep it secret. Do not speak of it lightly.”
Now, when Emperor Xian returned to the palace, he wept and said to Empress Fu, “Since I ascended the throne, treacherous heroes have arisen one after another: first I suffered the calamity of Dong Zhuo, then the chaos caused by Li Jue and Guo Si. The sufferings that ordinary people have never endured, you and I have both borne. Later I obtained Cao Cao, thinking he would be a minister to support the state. I never expected that he would monopolize state affairs and play with power, arbitrarily exercising authority and showing off his might. Every time I see him, it feels as if there are thorns on my back. Today at the hunting grounds, he placed himself before me to receive the cheers—his insolence knows no bounds! Sooner or later, he will harbor designs to usurp the throne. Your husband and I do not know where we will die!” Empress Fu said, “All the high ministers at court eat the Han dynasty’s stipends, yet is there not a single man who can save the state from its crisis?”
Before he had finished speaking, a man suddenly entered from outside and said, “Your Majesty and Empress, do not worry; I recommend someone who can remove this national scourge.” The Emperor looked and saw it was Fu Wan, the father of Empress Fu. The Emperor, wiping away his tears, asked, “Does my father-in-law also know of the tyranny of that villain Cao Cao?” Fu Wan said, “Who did not witness the incident of the deer hunt at Xutian? But throughout the entire court, there is none who are not either Cao Cao’s clansmen or his followers. If it were not for a relative of the imperial family, who would be willing to give their utmost loyalty to punish the traitor? Your old minister lacks the power to accomplish this. The Imperial Charioteer, National Uncle Dong Cheng, can be entrusted with the task.” The Emperor said, “National Uncle Dong has repeatedly faced national crises; I have long known of this. He can be summoned to the palace to discuss matters of great importance.” Fu Wan said, “Those around Your Majesty are all confidants of that villain Cao Cao. If the secret should be leaked, the harm would be great.” The Emperor said, “Then what should be done?” Fu Wan said, “I have a plan. Your Majesty can have a robe made and take a jade belt, and secretly bestow them upon Dong Cheng. Then, sew a secret edict into the lining of the belt and give it to him. When he returns home and sees the edict, he can plan day and night; neither gods nor ghosts will perceive it.”
The Emperor deemed this correct, and Fu Wan then took his leave and left the palace. The Emperor then personally wrote a secret edict, biting his fingertip and writing it in blood, secretly ordering Empress Fu to sew it into the purple brocade lining inside the jade belt. Then he donned a brocade robe, fastened this jade belt, and ordered the Imperial Secretary to summon Dong Cheng to the palace. When Dong Cheng saw the Emperor and performed the rites, the Emperor said, “Last night, I spoke with the Empress about the hardships endured at Bahe, and recalling your great merit, National Uncle, I specially summoned you to offer my gratitude.” Dong Cheng kowtowed and thanked the Emperor. The Emperor took Dong Cheng out of the palace, went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and ascended to the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials. After the Emperor burned incense and performed the rites, he led Dong Cheng to view the portraits. In the center was a portrait of Emperor Gaozu of Han. The Emperor said, “From where did our founder Emperor Gaozu rise? And how did he establish the foundation of the empire?” Dong Cheng, startled, said, “Is Your Majesty mocking your servant? How could I not know the deeds of the sacred ancestor? Emperor Gaozu rose from being a village head in Sishang, wielding a three-foot sword, slaying the serpent to raise the rebellion, sweeping across the realm, destroying the Qin dynasty in three years, and vanquishing the King of Chu in five, thereby possessing the empire and establishing a foundation for ten thousand generations.” The Emperor said, “With such a heroic ancestor, how can his descendants be so weak? How can one not sigh!” Then, pointing to the portraits of two ministers on either side, he said, “Are these two not the Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang, and the Marquis of Cuo, Xiao He?” Dong Cheng said, “Yes. Emperor Gaozu’s founding of the empire truly relied upon the strength of these two men.” The Emperor, looking around and seeing that those nearby were at a distance, secretly said to Dong Cheng, “You should also stand by my side like these two men.” Dong Cheng said, “Your servant has not a single merit; how could I deserve such a position?” The Emperor said, “I recall your merit in rescuing me at the Western Capital, and I have never forgotten it. I have nothing to bestow upon you.” Then, pointing to the robe he wore and the jade belt he fastened, he said, “You should wear this robe of mine and fasten this jade belt of mine, just as if you were always by my side.” Dong Cheng kowtowed and thanked the Emperor. The Emperor unfastened the robe and jade belt and bestowed them upon Dong Cheng, secretly saying, “When you return home, examine them carefully; do not disappoint my intentions.”
Dong Cheng understood the Emperor’s meaning. He donned the robe, fastened the jade belt, took leave of the Emperor, and descended from the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials. Someone had already reported to Cao Cao, saying, “The Emperor and Dong Cheng spoke together on the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials.” Cao Cao immediately came to court to investigate. As Dong Cheng left the pavilion and had just passed the palace gate, he happened to encounter Cao Cao arriving; in his haste, there was no place to avoid him, so he had to stand by the roadside and bow. Cao Cao asked, “Where does the National Uncle come from?” Dong Cheng said, “I have just been summoned by the Son of Heaven, who bestowed upon me a brocade robe and jade belt.” Cao Cao asked, “Why were they bestowed upon you?” Dong Cheng said, “Because the Son of Heaven recalled my past merit in rescuing him at the Western Capital, and thus granted this reward.” Cao Cao said, “Unfasten the jade belt and let me see it.” Dong Cheng knew in his heart that there must be a secret edict within the belt and feared that Cao Cao might perceive it; hesitating, he was reluctant to unfasten it. Cao Cao ordered his attendants, “Quickly unfasten it!” After examining it for a long time, he laughed and said, “It is indeed a fine jade belt. Now take off the brocade robe and let me borrow a look.” Dong Cheng, fearful in his heart, dared not disobey, so he took off the brocade robe and presented it. Cao Cao personally picked it up, held it against the sunlight, and examined it closely. After finishing, he put it on himself, fastened the jade belt, looked around at his attendants, and said, “How does it fit?” The attendants all praised it as handsome. Cao Cao said to Dong Cheng, “National Uncle, why not transfer this robe and jade belt as a gift to me?” Dong Cheng told him, “This is a gift from the sovereign; I dare not transfer it to another. Allow me to have another made and presented to you.” Cao Cao said, “National Uncle, in accepting this robe and belt, could there be some scheme within?” Dong Cheng, flustered, said, “How would I dare? If the Chancellor wants them, they should be left with you.” Cao Cao said, “You have received a gift from the sovereign; how could I take it away? I was only jesting.” Then he took off the robe and jade belt and returned them to Dong Cheng.
Dong Cheng took leave of Cao Cao and returned home. That night, sitting alone in his study, he carefully turned the robe over and over, examining it, but found nothing. Dong Cheng thought to himself, “The Son of Heaven bestowed the robe and jade belt upon me and ordered me to examine them carefully; there must be a reason. Yet now I see no trace; why is that?” Then he took the jade belt and inspected it again, seeing that it was made of white jade, exquisitely carved with patterns of little dragons threading through flowers, and on the back, lined with purple brocade, sewn neatly, with nothing else. Dong Cheng, puzzled, placed it on the table and searched repeatedly. After a long time, he grew very weary. Just as he was about to rest his head on the table and sleep, suddenly a lamp wick fell onto the jade belt, burning the lining on the back. Dong Cheng hastily wiped it, but it had already burned through a spot, slightly revealing a white silk fabric, faintly showing traces of blood. He quickly took a knife, cut it open, and looked; it was a secret edict written in the Son of Heaven’s own blood. The edict read:
“I have heard that among human relationships, that of father and son is most important; in the distinctions of rank, that of sovereign and minister is most grave. Recently, that traitor Cao Cao has usurped power, oppressing his sovereign and father; he has formed cliques, corrupted the court’s principles; the commands of reward and punishment are no longer decided by me. Day and night I worry, fearing that the realm may be lost. You are a great minister of the state, my closest relative; you should think of the hardships by which Emperor Gaozu founded the empire, unite with loyal and righteous men, eradicate the traitor’s party, restore peace to the state, and the spirits of our ancestors will rejoice! I have bitten my finger, sprinkled blood to write this edict, and deliver it to you. Be cautious, and do not disappoint my intentions! Edict issued in the third month of the fourth year of Jian’an.”
After reading, Dong Cheng’s tears streamed down his face, and he could not sleep the entire night. Rising in the morning, he returned to the study and gazed at the edict again and again, unable to devise any plan. Then he placed the edict on the table, deep in thought about a strategy to eliminate Cao Cao. Before he had settled his thoughts, he leaned on the table and fell asleep. Suddenly, Gentleman of the Palace Wang Zifu arrived. The gatekeeper, knowing that Wang Zifu and Dong Cheng were close friends, dared not stop him and directly entered the study. Seeing Dong Cheng asleep, leaning on the table, with a corner of white silk showing from under his sleeve, faintly revealing the character ‘’ (the imperial ‘We’). Wang Zifu, suspicious, quietly picked it up, read it completely, hid it in his sleeve, then woke Dong Cheng and said, “National Uncle, how at ease you are! How can you sleep so soundly!”
Dong Cheng woke with a start, but the imperial edict was gone. Terror-stricken, his soul seemed to leave his body, and his hands and feet trembled in panic. Wang Zifu said, “You intend to kill the Duke Cao! I ought to report you.” Dong Cheng tearfully replied, “If you, my elder brother, do this, the Han dynasty is finished!” Wang Zifu said, “I was only jesting. My ancestors for generations have enjoyed the emoluments of Han—how could I lack loyalty? I am willing to lend you a hand and together we will slay the traitor to the state.” Dong Cheng said, “If my brother has this intention, it is the great fortune of the realm.” Wang Zifu said, “We should in a secret chamber draw up a pact of righteousness, each of us sacrificing his three clans to requite the Han sovereign.” Delighted, Dong Cheng took out a roll of white silk and first wrote his name and affixed his mark. Wang Zifu immediately wrote his name and affixed his mark as well. When this was done, Wang Zifu said, “General Wu Zilan is on close terms with me; he can be brought into our plan.” Dong Cheng said, “Among the full court, only Colonel of the Changshui Garrison Zhong Ji and Consultant Wu Shuo are my trusted confidants; they will surely join in this undertaking with me.”
As they were deliberating, a servant entered to announce that Zhong Ji and Wu Shuo had come to call. Dong Cheng said, “Heaven aids me!” He told Wang Zifu to hide temporarily behind a screen. Dong Cheng received the two men and led them into the study. They sat down and finished their tea. Zhong Ji said, “That affair of the hunt at Xutian—do you bear resentment in your heart?” Dong Cheng said, “Though I resent it, there is nothing to be done.” Wu Shuo said, “I have sworn to kill that, only I regret there is no one to aid me!” Zhong Ji said, “To rid the state of a scourge, one does not regret death, even if it comes.” Wang Zifu came out from behind the screen and said, “You two intend to kill the Chancellor Cao! I ought to report you, and Lord Dong the Imperial Relative will be my witness.” Zhong Ji said angrily, “A loyal minister fears not death; even if we die, we shall be ghosts of Han, far better than you who fawn on the traitor to the state!” Dong Cheng laughed and said, “We were just speaking of this matter and wished to see you two. Wang the Attendant’s words were but a jest.” He then took the edict from his sleeve and showed it to them. The two men finished reading it, their tears flowing without cease. Dong Cheng then asked them to sign. Wang Zifu said, “You two wait here a moment; I shall go and invite Wu Zilan.”
Wang Zifu left and soon returned with Wu Zilan. They greeted each other, and Wu Zilan also signed the pact. Dong Cheng invited them all into the rear hall to drink together. Suddenly a report came that Ma Teng, the Governor of Xiliang, had come to call. Dong Cheng said, “Simply say that I am ill and cannot receive him.” The gatekeeper delivered this reply. Ma Teng said angrily, “Last night at the Donghua Gate I saw with my own eyes him coming out in his brocade robe and jade belt—why does he claim to be ill! I have not come without a purpose—why does he refuse to see me?” The gatekeeper went in and reported, relating in detail Ma Teng’s anger. Dong Cheng rose and said, “Gentlemen, wait a moment; allow me to go out and greet him.” He then went out to the main hall to receive him. After the formal greetings, they sat down. Ma Teng said, “I have come to take leave of the court before returning, and so I came to bid you farewell—why did you refuse to see me?” Dong Cheng said, “I was suddenly taken ill, and failed to receive you properly—my offense is great.” Ma Teng said, “Your face has the spring glow of health; I see no sign of illness.”
Dong Cheng had no reply. Ma Teng flicked his sleeves and rose to leave, sighing as he descended the steps, saying, “None of these men are fit to save the state!” Dong Cheng, moved by his words, detained him and asked, “Whom do you say is not fit to save the state?” Ma Teng said, “That affair of the hunt at Xutian still fills me with rage; you are a close relative of the state, yet you indulge in wine and women and do not think of punishing the traitor—how can you be counted among those who would rescue the royal house from calamity?” Dong Cheng, fearing this might be a test, feigned surprise and said, “The Chancellor Cao is a great minister of the state, one on whom the court relies—why do you speak thus?” Ma Teng said angrily, “Do you still take that Cao villain for a good man?” Dong Cheng said, “Ears and eyes are many—please lower your voice.” Ma Teng said, “He who clings to life and fears death is not worth discussing great matters with!” He made to rise again. Dong Cheng, knowing that Ma Teng was a loyal and righteous man, said, “Please calm your anger. I will show you something.” He then invited Ma Teng into the study, took out the edict, and showed it to him.
When Ma Teng had finished reading, his hair stood on end, and he ground his teeth until his lips were torn and his mouth was full of blood. He said to Dong Cheng, “If you make any move, I will lead the troops of Xiliang as your outside support.” Dong Cheng invited Ma Teng to meet the other righteous men, took out the pact, and had Ma Teng sign it. Ma Teng then took wine and swore a blood oath, saying, “We swear to die rather than betray our covenant!” He pointed to the five men present and said, “If we can gather ten men, the great deed will be accomplished.” Dong Cheng said, “Loyal and righteous men are not easily found. If we ally ourselves with the wrong sort, it will only bring harm to each other.” Ma Teng had someone bring the roster of officials. When he came to the Liu clan, he clapped his hands and said, “Why not consult with this man?” Everyone asked who it was. Ma Teng, unhurriedly, named the person. It was indeed:
Because the Imperial Relative received the clear edict,
Now a prince of the royal house comes to aid the Han court.
Because the Imperial Relative received the clear edict,
Now a prince of the royal house comes to aid the Han court.
Who exactly was it that Ma Teng named? Hear the explanation in the next chapter.