Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 23: Mi Heng Strips and Reviles the Traitors; Imperial Physician Ji Is Tortured for Poisoning

Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Mi Zhengping Strips and Reviles the Traitors; Doctor Ji Is Executed for Attempted Poisoning

It is told that Cao Cao wished to execute Liu Dai and Wang Zhong. Kong Rong remonstrated, saying, “These two were never a match for Liu Bei in the first place. If you put them to death, I fear you will lose the hearts of your officers and men.” Cao Cao thereupon spared them the death penalty, revoking their titles and stipends, and wished to personally raise troops to campaign against Liu Bei. Kong Rong said, “It is now the depths of winter and bitter cold, not a suitable time to move troops; waiting until next spring will not be too late. You may first send men to offer amnesty and win over Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao, and only then plan for Xuzhou.” Cao Cao deemed his words reasonable and first dispatched Liu Ye to go and persuade Zhang Xiu. When Liu Ye reached Xiangcheng, he first visited Jia Xu and set forth Cao Cao’s great virtue. Jia Xu then kept Liu Ye in his own home.

The next day he came to see Zhang Xiu and spoke of Cao Cao sending Liu Ye with the offer of amnesty. While they were deliberating, a man suddenly reported that an envoy from Yuan Shao had arrived. Zhang Xiu ordered him to be invited in. The envoy presented a letter. Zhang Xiu read it; it was also an offer of amnesty. Jia Xu asked the envoy, “Recently, when you raised troops and attacked Cao Cao, how did the contest end?” The envoy said, “In the cold months of deep winter, we have temporarily halted military operations. Now because you, General, and Liu Biao of Jingzhou both possess the bearing of scholars of the realm, we have come especially to invite you.” Jia Xu laughed loudly and said, “You may go back and tell Yuan Benchu this: ‘You cannot even tolerate your own brother—how can you hope to accommodate the scholars of all under Heaven!’” He tore the letter to shreds before his face and shouted at the envoy to leave. Zhang Xiu said, “Right now Yuan is strong and Cao is weak; now that we have torn up the letter and reviled the envoy, if Yuan Shao leads his troops here, what shall we do?” Jia Xu said, “It would be better to go over to Cao Cao.” Zhang Xiu said, “I had a feud with Cao Cao before—how could he tolerate me?” Jia Xu said, “Going over to Cao Cao brings three advantages: Lord Cao upholds the Son of Heaven’s clear edict and campaigns across the realm—this is the first reason to go. Yuan Shao is mighty and prosperous; if we go to him with our small force, he is certain not to regard us highly. Cao Cao, though weaker, would be overjoyed to gain us—this is the second reason to go. Lord Cao possesses the ambition of a kingly hegemon and will surely set aside private enmity to display his virtue to all under Heaven—this is the third reason to go. I hope the General will doubt no more.”

Zhang Xiu followed his counsel and invited Liu Ye to meet him. Liu Ye extolled Cao Cao’s virtue with all his might, and added, “If the Prime Minister still bore old grudges, how would he be willing to send me to form an alliance with you, General?” Zhang Xiu was greatly pleased and immediately went with Jia Xu and the others to Xudu to surrender. Zhang Xiu went to pay his respects to Cao Cao, kneeling and bowing below the steps. Cao Cao hastily helped him up, grasped his hand, and said, “A small, trifling error—do not take it to heart.” He then appointed Zhang Xiu as General Yangwu and Jia Xu as Bearer of the Gilded Mace. Cao Cao then ordered Zhang Xiu to write a letter to offer amnesty to Liu Biao. Jia Xu stepped forward and said, “Liu Jingsheng is fond of associating with renowned figures; now we must find a man of literary fame to go and persuade him—only then will he be willing to submit.” Cao Cao asked Xun You, “Who can go?” Xun You said, “Kong Wenju can undertake this task.”

Cao Cao approved. Xun You went out to see Kong Rong and said, “The Prime Minister wishes to find a man of literary fame to serve as an envoy. Could you undertake this task?” Kong Rong said, “My friend Mi Heng, styled Zhengping, has talent surpassing mine tenfold. This man ought to be at the Son of Heaven’s side, and not merely serve as an envoy. I shall recommend him to the Son of Heaven.” He then submitted a memorial to the Son of Heaven. The memorial read:

Your servant has heard that when the floodwaters spread across the land, Emperor Yao yearned for one who could govern them and sought far and wide in the four directions, summoning worthy talents and outstanding men. In former times, when Shizong inherited the great succession and wished to expand the ancestral enterprise, he consulted and sought out able ministers, and a multitude of scholars gathered like clouds. Your Majesty, sagely and enlightened, wise and discerning, has inherited the foundation, encountered a time of hardship and peril, and toils with diligence and humility, never resting even at dusk; the high mountains send down their spirits, and extraordinary talents have appeared together. Your servant has privately observed the retired scholar Mi Heng of Pingyuan: aged twenty-four, styled Zhengping, his character virtuous, pure, and steadfast, his talent outstanding and surpassing. Upon first touching the classics and writings, he could ascend the hall and enter the inner chamber, spying their profound depths. What his eyes have once scanned, his mouth can recite at will; what his ears have briefly heard, his heart can retain and remember. His nature accords with the Great Way, and his thought seems divinely aided. Sang Hongyang’s covert calculations and Zhang Anshi’s silent memory—when weighed against Mi Heng, are truly nothing remarkable. Loyal, resolute, upright, and without selfishness, his aspirations and embrace are lofty and pure like frost and snow; at the sight of goodness he is startled with joy; at the sight of evil he abhors it as a foe. Ren Zuo’s forthright conduct and Shi Yu’s honed integrity, I fear, could not surpass him. A hundred birds of prey cannot match a single osprey. If Mi Heng were established in the court, there would surely be things worthy of beholding: his eloquence racing, his words coursing forth, his spirit surging and overflowing; resolving doubts and untying knots, he would be more than sufficient even when facing a formidable opponent.

In former times, Jia Yi requested to be sent as envoy to the subject kingdoms, proclaiming that he would subdue the Chanyu; Zhong Jun wished to use a long rein to tether the mighty Southern Yue; though barely twenty, they were fervent and impassioned, praised by former ages. In recent days, Lu Cui and Yan Xiang, also by virtue of their extraordinary talents, were promoted to posts in the imperial secretariat: Mi Heng should be ranked alongside them. Like a divine dragon leaping upon the celestial avenue, soaring and beating its wings through the cloudy Han, raising its cry and spreading its name in the Palace of Purple Tenuity, its radiance shining like rainbows, it would suffice to manifest the excellence of the many scholars in the nearby bureaus and add solemn harmony to the gateways in all four directions. The vast music of Heaven must have scenes of rare splendor; the dwelling of an emperor must harbor treasures beyond the ordinary. A man like Mi Heng cannot be found in abundance. The melodies “Jichu” and “Yang’e” are postures of supreme subtlety, coveted by those who oversee song and dance; the flying hare and the Yaoniao are steeds that race like the wind, urgently sought by Wang Liang and Bo Le. How dare we, with our humble hearts, not report this to Your Majesty? Your Majesty, in carefully selecting scholars, must employ testing and trial. We beg that Mi Heng be summoned while still wearing coarse cloth. If he shows no talent worthy of regard, we your servants willingly accept the crime of deceiving the throne before Your Majesty’s face.

After reading the memorial, Emperor Xian handed it to Cao Cao to deal with. Cao Cao then sent for Mi Heng to be summoned. When the rites of greeting were finished, Cao Cao did not ask him to take a seat. Mi Heng looked up to heaven and sighed, saying, "Heaven and earth may be vast, but how is it that there is not a single man here!" Cao Cao said, "I have several dozen men under my command, all heroes of the age. How can you say there is no one?" Mi Heng said, "I would like to hear you name them." Cao Cao said, "Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu are profound in resource and deep in stratagem; even Xiao He and Chen Ping could not surpass them. Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Yue Jin, and Li Dian are unstoppable in valor; even Cen Peng and Ma Wu could not match them. Lü Qian and Man Chong serve as my attendants; Yu Jin and Xu Huang serve as my vanguard. Xiahou Dun is a rare talent under heaven, and Cao Zixiao is a blessed general of the age. How can you say there is no one?" Mi Heng laughed and said, "You are mistaken. These figures—I know them all. Xun Yu could be sent to offer condolences and inquire after the sick; Xun You could be sent to watch graves and tend tombs; Cheng Yu could be sent to shut doors and close gates; Guo Jia could be sent to recite verses and chant rhapsodies; Zhang Liao could be sent to beat drums and sound gongs; Xu Chu could be sent to graze cattle and herd horses; Yue Jin could be sent to read proclamations aloud; Li Dian could be sent to deliver letters and dispatches; Lü Qian could be sent to whet blades and forge swords; Man Chong could be sent to drink wine and eat dregs; Yu Jin could be sent to carry earth and build walls; Xu Huang could be sent to butcher pigs and slaughter dogs. Xiahou Dun deserves the title 'Whole-Body General,' and Cao Zixiao should be called 'Money-Grubbing Governor.' As for the rest, they are mere clothes-racks and rice-sacks, wine-tubs and flesh-bags!" Cao Cao said angrily, "And what abilities do you have?" Mi Heng said, "Of astronomy and geography, there is none I do not master; of the Three Doctrines and the Nine Schools, there is none I do not fully comprehend. Above, I can make my sovereign equal to Yao and Shun; below, I can match the virtue of Confucius and Yan Hui. How can I be mentioned in the same breath as common and vulgar men!" At that moment, only Zhang Liao was by his side, and he drew his sword, wanting to cut him down. Cao Cao said, "I happen to be short one drum officer. For the morning and evening court celebrations and banquets, I can have Mi Heng fill this post." Mi Heng did not decline but answered at once and left. Zhang Liao said, "This man’s speech was utterly insolent. Why not kill him?" Cao Cao said, "This man has long enjoyed a certain false reputation, known far and near. If I kill him today, everyone under heaven will surely say I cannot tolerate men of worth. Since he thinks himself talented, I shall make him a drum officer to humiliate him."

The next day, Cao Cao held a grand banquet in the ministerial hall and ordered the drum officer to perform. The former drum officer said, "To beat the drum, one must change into new clothes." Mi Heng entered wearing old clothes, then proceeded to beat the drum and play the "Three Strikes at Yuyang." The rhythm was exquisitely beautiful, and the sound had a deep resonance like metal and stone. When the guests at the banquet heard it, they were all moved to passionate tears. The attendants on either side shouted, "Why do you not change your clothes!" Mi Heng stripped off his old and tattered garments right before the assembly and stood there naked, his entire body fully exposed. The guests all covered their faces. Only then did Mi Heng slowly pull on his trousers, his expression unchanged.

Cao Cao rebuked him, saying, "In the court temple and upon the hall of state, how dare you behave with such utter disrespect?" Mi Heng said, "To deceive one's sovereign and blind the sage—that is what is called disrespect. I have revealed the body given me by my father and mother merely to show a clean and pure form!" Cao Cao said, "If you are clean, then who is foul?" Mi Heng said, "You cannot distinguish the worthy from the foolish—that is foulness of eye; you do not read the Odes and Documents—that is foulness of mouth; you do not accept loyal counsel—that is foulness of ear; you do not understand the past and present—that is foulness of body; you cannot tolerate the feudal lords—that is foulness of belly; you constantly harbor thoughts of usurpation and treason—that is foulness of heart! I am a renowned scholar of the realm, yet you make me a petty drum-beating officer—this is just like Yang Huo slighting Confucius or Zang Cang slandering Mencius! You wish to achieve the enterprise of a hegemon, yet you treat men of talent with such contempt?"

At the time, Kong Rong was also seated there. Fearing that Cao Cao would kill Mi Heng, he stepped forward calmly and said, "Mi Heng's offenses are comparable to those of a convict serving penal labor; he is not worth troubling the brilliant prince's dreams." Cao Cao pointed at Mi Heng and said, "I order you to go on a mission to Jingzhou. If Liu Biao comes to surrender, I will employ you as a minister of state." Mi Heng was unwilling to go. Cao Cao prepared three horses and ordered two men to support him on the road; he also instructed his civil and military officials, both civil and military, to prepare a farewell banquet outside the eastern gate of the city. Xun Yu said, "When Mi Heng arrives, let no one rise." When Mi Heng came, he dismounted and entered to meet them; the entire company sat rigidly still. Mi Heng let out a great wail. Xun Yu asked, "Why do you weep?" Mi Heng said, "I walk among corpses and coffins—how can I not weep?" The company all said, "We are corpses, and you are nothing but a headless mad ghost!" Mi Heng said, "I am a subject of the Han dynasty, not a partisan of Cao Cao—how can I be headless?" They all wished to kill him. Xun Yu hastily stopped them, saying, "Such rats and sparrows—why dirty a blade with them?" Mi Heng said, "I am a rat or a sparrow, but I still possess human nature; you only deserve to be called grubs!" The company parted in resentment.

When Mi Heng reached Jingzhou, he had an audience with Liu Biao. Though outwardly he praised his merits and virtues, in truth he was mocking and satirizing. Liu Biao was displeased and ordered him to go to Jiangxia to see Huang Zu. Someone asked Liu Biao, "Mi Heng ridiculed and mocked you, my lord. Why not kill him?" Liu Biao said, "Mi Heng has repeatedly humiliated Cao Cao, but Cao Cao did not kill him for fear of losing the hearts of the people. That is why he sent him to me as an envoy, hoping to borrow my hand to kill him and make me bear the infamy of harming a worthy man. Now I am sending him to see Huang Zu, so that Cao Cao will know I have insight." Everyone praised this.

At that time, Yuan Shao had also sent an envoy. Liu Biao asked his advisors, "Yuan Benchu has sent another envoy, and Cao Mengde has dispatched Mi Heng here. Which side should I follow?" Han Song, a retainer and general of the household, stepped forward and said, "Now two great powers stand locked in struggle. If the general wishes to take action, this is the moment to strike and crush the enemy. If he cannot, then he should choose the better side and submit to it. Now Cao Cao is skilled in using troops, and men of worth and talent mostly rally to him. It seems he will certainly conquer Yuan Shao first, then shift his forces toward Jiangdong. I fear the general cannot hold out against him. It would be better to offer Jingzhou and submit to Cao Cao; Cao Cao will surely treat the general generously." Liu Biao said, "You go to Xudu for now, observe the situation there, and then we will deliberate further." Han Song said, "Between lord and subject, each has a fixed station. I, Han Song, now serve my general; even if ordered to tread through fire and plunge into boiling water, I would obey utterly. If my general can above obey the Son of Heaven and below follow Lord Cao, then sending me is permissible. But if you waver in indecision, and after I reach the capital the Son of Heaven grants me an official post, I would then be the Son of Heaven's subject and could no longer lay down my life for my general." Liu Biao said, "Go and observe for now. I have other plans."

Han Song took leave of Liu Biao and went to Xudu, where he had an audience with Cao Cao. Cao Cao promptly appointed Han Song as Palace Attendant, concurrently serving as Governor of Lingling. Xun Yu said, "Han Song came to observe the situation; he has rendered not the slightest merit, yet he receives such a weighty post. And Mi Heng has sent not a word of news; the Chancellor sent him out but does not inquire after him. Why is this?" Cao Cao said, "Mi Heng humiliated me too deeply, so I borrowed Liu Biao’s hand to kill him. Why need I inquire further?" He then sent Han Song back to Jingzhou to persuade Liu Biao. Han Song returned to see Liu Biao and extolled the court’s flourishing virtue, urging Liu Biao to send his son to court as a hostage. Liu Biao flew into a rage and said, "Do you harbor a double heart!" He wanted to kill him. Han Song cried out, "It is my general who has betrayed me, Han Song; I, Han Song, have not betrayed my general!" Kuai Liang said, "Before Han Song departed, he already spoke these words." Liu Biao thereupon pardoned him.

Someone then came to report that Huang Zu had killed Mi Heng. Liu Biao asked the reason. The man replied, "Huang Zu and Mi Heng were drinking together and both became drunk. Huang Zu asked Mi Heng, 'When you were in Xudu, what men of note were there?' Mi Heng said, 'The elder son was Kong Wenju, the younger son Yang Dezu. Beyond these two, there were no others.' Huang Zu said, 'And what of someone like me?' Mi Heng said, 'You are like a spirit tablet in a temple: though you receive offerings, it is a pity you have no efficacy!' Huang Zu flew into a rage and said, 'Do you take me for a puppet of clay and wood!' Thereupon he killed him. Mi Heng never ceased reviling them until he died." When Liu Biao heard that Mi Heng was dead, he sighed unceasingly and ordered him buried beside Parrot Isle. A later poet lamented:

Huang Zu’s talent could never match a true elder; Mi Heng lost his life beside this river shore.

Now, passing by the edge of Parrot Isle, only the heartless green waters still flow eastward as before.

Huang Zu’s talent could never match a true elder; Mi Heng lost his life beside this river shore.

Now, as one passes by Parrot Isle, only the heartless green waters still flow east as before.

Let us return to Cao Cao. When he learned that Mi Heng had been killed, he laughed and said, "The pedantic scholar’s tongue was like a sword, yet he brought about his own death!" Because he had not seen Liu Biao come to surrender, he wished to raise troops and call him to account. Xun Yu remonstrated, saying, "Yuan Shao is not yet subdued, and Liu Bei is not yet destroyed, yet you wish to use arms against the Jiang-Han region. This is like neglecting the heart and vital organs to tend to the hands and feet. You should first destroy Yuan Shao, then destroy Liu Bei, and the Jiang-Han region will be swept clean in one stroke." Cao Cao followed his advice.

Let us turn to Dong Cheng. After Liu Xuande departed, Dong Cheng discussed matters day and night with Wang Zifu and the others, but they could devise no plan. In the fifth year of Jian’an, at the New Year’s Day court ceremony, he saw that Cao Cao’s arrogance had grown more extreme. Dong Cheng’s indignation turned into illness. The Emperor, knowing that the State Uncle had fallen ill, ordered the court physician to go and treat him. This physician was a man of Luoyang: his surname was Ji, his given name Tai, and his courtesy name Chengping; people all called him Ji Ping, and he was a famous doctor of the time. Ji Ping went to Dong Cheng’s mansion to administer medicine and treatment, staying from morning till night without leaving. He often saw Dong Cheng heaving deep sighs, but dared not rashly inquire.

It happened to be the Lantern Festival. Ji Ping took his leave to go home, but Dong Cheng detained him, and the two men drank together. After the first watch of the night, Dong Cheng felt weary and fell asleep fully clothed. Suddenly someone reported that Wang Zifu and the other four had arrived. Dong Cheng went out to welcome them in. Wang Zifu said, "The great deed has succeeded!" Dong Cheng said, "I wish to hear the details." Wang Zifu said, "Liu Biao has joined with Yuan Shao and raised five hundred thousand troops, advancing in ten columns. Ma Teng has joined with Han Sui and raised seven hundred twenty thousand troops from Xiliang, advancing from the north. Cao Cao has dispatched all the troops of Xuchang to meet the enemy on separate fronts, and the city is empty. If we gather the servants of our five households, we can obtain over a thousand men. Tonight, while a great banquet is held in the mansion to celebrate the Lantern Festival, we can surround Cao Cao’s residence, rush in, and slay him. We must not miss this opportunity!"

Dong Cheng was overjoyed. He immediately ordered the household servants to gather their weapons. He himself put on armor, grasped a spear, and mounted his horse, agreeing that they would all assemble before the inner gate and advance together. At the second watch of the night, all the soldiers had assembled. Dong Cheng, sword in hand, entered on foot. He saw Cao Cao holding a feast in the rear hall and shouted, "Villain Cao, do not flee!" He struck with his sword, and Cao Cao fell at the blow. Suddenly he awoke—it had been but a dream within a dream—yet his mouth was still cursing "Villain Cao" without cease. Ji Ping stepped forward and called, "Do you wish to harm Lord Cao?" Dong Cheng was so startled and terrified that he could not answer. Ji Ping said, "State Uncle, do not panic. Although I am a physician, I have never forgotten the House of Han. For days I have seen you sighing, but I dared not ask. Just now, from the words you spoke in your dream, I have already seen your true feelings. I hope you will no longer hide them from me. If there is any way I can be of use, even if my nine clans are exterminated, I shall never regret it." Dong Cheng covered his face and wept, saying, "I only fear you are not sincere!"

Ji Ping then bit off one of his fingers and swore an oath. Only then did Dong Cheng take out the Girdle Edict and show it to Ji Ping. He also said, "The reason our plans cannot succeed now is that Liu Xuande and Ma Teng have each gone away, and we can devise no stratagem. That is why I fell ill from indignation and grief." Ji Ping said, "You gentlemen need not trouble yourselves. The life of the villain Cao rests in my hands." Dong Cheng asked what he meant. Ji Ping said, "Cao Cao constantly suffers from head-wind, a pain that penetrates to the marrow. Whenever it strikes, he summons me to treat him. If I am summoned at any time, I need only administer a single dose of poison, and he is certain to die. What need is there to resort to swords and soldiers?" Dong Cheng said, "If this can be done, the merit of saving the altars of Han will rest entirely upon you!"

Ji Ping then took his leave and returned home. Dong Cheng secretly rejoiced. He went into the rear hall and suddenly saw his household servant Qin Qingtong and his concubine Yunying whispering together in a dark corner. Dong Cheng was furious and ordered his attendants to seize them, intending to put them to death. His wife pleaded for their lives, so each was beaten forty strokes on the back with a staff, and Qingtong was locked in a cold room. Qingtong nursed his grudge. In the deep of night he twisted off the iron lock, leaped over the wall, and fled, running straight into Cao Cao’s mansion to report that there was a secret matter of great importance. Cao Cao summoned him into a private chamber to question him. Qingtong said, "Wang Zifu, Wu Zilan, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo, and Ma Teng, five men in all, have been holding secret discussions in my master’s mansion. They must be plotting against you, Prime Minister. My master once brought out a length of white silk, but I do not know what was written on it. Recently Ji Ping bit off his finger and swore an oath; I saw that with my own eyes as well."

Cao Cao hid Qingtong in his mansion. Dong Cheng only thought the man had fled elsewhere and did not search for him. The next day, Cao Cao pretended to suffer a head-wind attack and summoned Ji Ping to administer medicine. Ji Ping thought to himself, "This villain is fated to die!" He secretly hid poison and entered the mansion. Cao Cao lay in bed and ordered Ji Ping to prepare the medicine. Ji Ping said, "This illness can be cured with a single dose." He called for a medicine pot and decocted the herbs in person. When the decoction was half boiled, Ji Ping secretly added the poison and personally presented it. Cao Cao knew it was poisoned and deliberately delayed, refusing to take it. Ji Ping said, "Drink it while it is hot, sweat a little, and you will be well." Cao Cao rose and said, "Since you have read the Confucian books, you must understand ritual and duty. 'When a ruler is ill and takes medicine, the minister first tastes it; when a father is ill and takes medicine, the son first tastes it.' You are my trusted man. Why do you not taste it before presenting it?" Ji Ping said, "Medicine is for treating illness; why should anyone need to taste it?"

Ji Ping knew that the matter was exposed. He strode forward, seized Cao Cao by the ear, and tried to force the medicine down. Cao Cao pushed the medicine away; it spilled upon the floor, and the bricks and stones split apart. Before Cao Cao could speak, his attendants had already seized Ji Ping. Cao Cao said, "What illness do I have? I deliberately tested you! You indeed had the intention of murdering me!" He then summoned twenty sturdy jailers and had Ji Ping taken to the rear garden for interrogation. Cao Cao sat in a pavilion while Ji Ping was bound and thrown to the ground. Ji Ping’s face did not change color, and he showed no trace of fear. Cao Cao laughed and said, "I suppose you are a physician. How dare you try to poison me? Someone must have instigated you to come. If you tell me who it was, I will spare you." Ji Ping rebuked him, saying, "You are a treacherous villain who deceives the emperor and deludes your superiors. Everyone in the realm wishes to kill you—how could it be only me?" Cao Cao pressed him again and again. Ji Ping said in great anger, "I myself wished to kill you; who sent me here? Now that the deed has failed, there is nothing but death!" Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered the jailers to beat him severely. They beat him for two double-hours until his skin split, his flesh tore, and blood streamed down the steps. Cao Cao, fearing that he might die and leave no testimony, ordered the jailers to drag him to a secluded place and temporarily tend to him. He then gave orders that a banquet be held the next day to which all the high officials would be invited to drink. Only Dong Cheng excused himself on the grounds of illness and did not come. Wang Zifu and the others all feared that Cao Cao might grow suspicious, so they had no choice but to attend. Cao Cao set the feast in the rear hall. After several rounds of wine, Cao Cao said, "There is little to amuse us at this feast. I have a man who can help the officials sober up." He ordered twenty jailers, "Drag him before me!"

In a moment, Ji Ping was seen, fastened in a long cangue, dragged to the foot of the steps. Cao Cao said, "You officials do not know: this man has colluded with a vicious faction, sought to rebel against the court, and plotted to murder me. Today Heaven has foiled him. Please listen to his testimony." Cao Cao ordered them to beat him first. Ji Ping fainted and fell to the ground. They splashed water on his face. Ji Ping revived, opened his eyes wide, ground his teeth, and cursed, "Villain Cao! If you do not kill me, what are you waiting for?" Cao Cao said, "There were six conspirators at first; together with you, that makes seven, does it not?" Ji Ping only cursed all the more fiercely. Wang Zifu and the other four looked at one another, feeling as if they were sitting on a mat of needles. Cao Cao ordered his men to beat and splash water on him by turns, but Ji Ping showed no sign of begging for mercy. Cao Cao, seeing that he would not confess, for the moment ordered him to be dragged away.

The officials’ feast dispersed, but Cao Cao detained Wang Zifu and the other four for a night banquet. The four men were beside themselves with terror, yet they could only remain and wait. Cao Cao said, "I had not intended to keep you, but there is something I must ask. Do you four not know what you were discussing with Dong Cheng?" Wang Zifu said, "We were not discussing anything." Cao Cao said, "What was written on the white silk?" Wang Zifu and the others all concealed the truth and refused to speak. Cao Cao called out Qingtong to testify. Wang Zifu said, "Where did you see this?" Qingtong said, "You sent everyone else away, and the six of you were in one place drawing up documents. How can you deny it?" Wang Zifu said, "This scoundrel committed adultery with the State Uncle’s concubine; after being punished, he slanders his master. He cannot be believed." Cao Cao said, "If Ji Ping tried to poison me, who else but Dong Cheng could have instigated it?" Wang Zifu and the others all said they knew nothing. Cao Cao said, "If you confess tonight, you may still be forgiven; but if you wait until the matter comes to light, it will truly be hard to tolerate!"

Wang Zifu and the others all denied any such thing. Cao Cao ordered his guards to seize the four men and hold them in custody. The next day, Cao Cao led his retinue straight to Dong Cheng’s home to visit him in his illness. Dong Cheng had no choice but to come out and welcome him. Cao Cao said, “Why did you not come to the banquet last night?” Dong Cheng replied, “My slight illness is not yet healed; I dared not rashly venture out.” Cao Cao said, “This is merely an illness of worrying over the state.” Dong Cheng was struck speechless with shock. Cao Cao went on, “Does the State Uncle know of Ji Ping’s affair?” Dong Cheng answered, “I know nothing of it.” Cao Cao laughed coldly and said, “How can the State Uncle not know?” He called to his attendants, “Bring him forth to cure the State Uncle’s ailment.” Dong Cheng stood rooted, not knowing where to turn.

A moment later, twenty jailers pushed Ji Ping forward to the foot of the steps. Ji Ping roared curses: “Cao Cao, you traitorous villain!” Cao Cao pointed at him and said to Dong Cheng, “This man has already implicated Wang Zifu and three others; I have seized them and handed them over to the Commandant of Justice. There remains one more person, still at large.” He then questioned Ji Ping: “Who sent you to drug me? Confess at once!” Ji Ping replied, “Heaven sent me to slay the traitor!” Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered him beaten. But on his body there was no spot left that could bear further punishment. Dong Cheng, watching from his seat, felt his heart cut as if by a knife. Cao Cao again questioned Ji Ping: “You originally had ten fingers; why do you now have only nine?” Ji Ping answered, “I bit off a finger as an oath, swearing to kill the traitor of the state!” Cao Cao ordered a blade brought forth, and there at the foot of the steps he had the ninth finger severed, saying, “Cut it off as well, to fulfill your oath!” Ji Ping declared, “I still have a mouth to swallow the traitor, and a tongue to curse the traitor!” Cao Cao commanded that his tongue be cut out. Ji Ping said, “Hold your hand for a moment. I can endure the torture no longer; I will confess. Just unbind my ropes.” Cao Cao replied, “What harm is there in unbinding him?” So he ordered his men to loosen the ropes. Ji Ping rose to his feet, gazed toward the imperial watchtower, and bowed, saying, “Your servant could not rid the state of this villain; it is the decree of Heaven!” Having made this obeisance, he dashed his head against the steps and died. Cao Cao ordered his body dismembered and displayed as a warning. This happened in the first month of the fifth year of Jian’an. A court historian composed a poem:

The fortunes of Han showed no signs of revival;

A healer of the state there was named Ji Ping.

He swore an oath to root out the traitorous faction,

Gave his body to repay the sagely one.

Under the harshest torture his words grew fiercer still;

In his cruel death his spirit seemed as in life.

Where his ten fingers streamed with blood,

A thousand autumns look up and revere his singular name.

The fortunes of Han showed no signs of revival;

A healer of the state there was named Ji Ping.

He swore an oath to root out the traitorous faction,

Gave his body to repay the sagely one.

Under the harshest torture his words grew fiercer still;

In his cruel death his spirit seemed as in life.

Where his ten fingers streamed with blood,

A thousand autumns look up and revere his singular name.

When Cao Cao saw that Ji Ping was dead, he ordered his attendants to drag Qin Qingtong forward. Cao Cao said, “State Uncle, do you recognize this person?” Dong Cheng flew into a great rage and cried, “A runaway slave, here! He should be put to death at once!” Cao Cao said, “He came forward to denounce a conspiracy; now that he is here to bear witness, who dares kill him?” Dong Cheng demanded, “Why, Prime Minister, do you heed the one-sided words of a runaway slave?” Cao Cao replied, “Wang Zifu and the others I have already seized, and they have all confessed in clear detail. Do you still intend to deny it?” At once he ordered his men to arrest Dong Cheng, and commanded his followers to go straight into Dong Cheng’s bedchamber and search it. They brought out the imperial robe edict and the oath-bond. Cao Cao looked them over and said with a laugh, “Mere mice! How dare you behave so!” He then gave the order: “Take Dong Cheng’s entire household, from the noble to the base, and confine them all in prison. Let not a single one escape.” Cao Cao returned to his residence, showed the edict and the bond to his various advisers, and consulted with them about deposing Emperor Xian and setting up a new ruler. Truly:

Several lines of crimson edict turned to empty hope;

A single sheet of sworn pact drew down calamity.

Several lines of crimson edict turned to empty hope;

A single sheet of sworn pact drew down calamity.

As for what became of Emperor Xian’s life, listen to the explanation in the next chapter.