Chapter 24: The Traitor Murders the Imperial Consort; The Imperial Uncle Flees to Yuan Shao

Chapter 24: The National Traitor Murders the Imperial Concubine; The Imperial Uncle Defeated Seeks Refuge with Yuan Shao

Let us now tell how Cao Cao, having seen the secret edict written on the girdle, discussed with his advisors the possibility of deposing Emperor Xian and selecting a virtuous man to replace him. Cheng Yu remonstrated, saying: “Illustrious Lord, the reason you can awe the four quarters and command the realm is precisely because you uphold the Han dynasty’s title. Since the various lords are not yet pacified, to hastily depose and enthrone an emperor would surely ignite conflict.” Cao Cao therefore abandoned the idea. He merely had Dong Cheng and the other four, along with all their families, escorted to the city gates and executed. In total, more than seven hundred people were put to death. Among the officials and commoners in the city who witnessed this, none could refrain from weeping. Later generations composed a poem lamenting Dong Cheng:

A secret edict passed within the girdle,

Heaven’s words issued from the forbidden gate.

Once he saved the emperor’s life,

Now he receives yet greater grace.

Anxiety for the state became a heart-sickness,

Eliminating traitors entered his very dreams.

Loyalty and chastity endure through the ages—

Who need debate success or failure?

Another poem lamented Wang Zifu and the other three:

Their names written on silk, they swore loyal schemes,

Ardently hoping to repay their sovereign father.

With reddened gall, alas, they sacrificed a hundred mouths,

Their crimson hearts truly suffice for a thousand autumns.

Now, after killing Dong Cheng and the others, Cao Cao’s anger was still not spent. He took his sword and entered the imperial palace to kill Consort Dong. The consort was Dong Cheng’s sister. The emperor doted on her, and she was already five months pregnant. That day, the emperor was in the rear palace discussing with Empress Fu the affair of Dong Cheng, of which they had as yet no news. Suddenly, they saw Cao Cao enter the palace with sword in hand, his face full of wrath. The emperor turned pale with terror. Cao Cao said: “Dong Cheng plotted rebellion—does Your Majesty know of this?” The emperor replied: “Dong Zhuo has already been executed.” Cao Cao shouted: “Not Dong Zhuo! It is Dong Cheng!” Trembling, the emperor said: “I truly knew nothing of it.” Cao Cao said: “Have you forgotten biting your finger to revise the edict?” The emperor could not answer. Cao Cao ordered the imperial guards to seize Consort Dong. The emperor pleaded with him: “The consort is five months with child. I beg the Chancellor to have pity on her.” Cao Cao said: “If Heaven had not thwarted my affairs, I would long ago have been destroyed. How can I leave this woman to become a future menace?” Empress Fu interceded: “Degrade her to the cold palace. After she gives birth, then kill her—it would not be too late.” Cao Cao said: “You wish to keep this rebellious spawn, so that the mother may avenge herself?” Consort Dong wept and pleaded: “I beg to die with my body intact, that it not be exposed.” Cao Cao ordered white silk brought before her. The emperor wept and said to Consort Dong: “In the Nine Springs below, do not resent me!” As he spoke, tears fell like rain. Empress Fu also wept bitterly. Cao Cao angrily said: “Still indulging in such sentimental weakness?” He ordered the guards to drag her out and strangle her outside the palace gate. Later generations composed a poem lamenting Consort Dong:

Grace received in the spring hall was all in vain—

Alas, the imperial seed perished at the same time.

The majestic emperor could not save her,

Covering his face, he watched tears gush forth.

Cao Cao instructed the palace supervisor: “Henceforth, if any relative of the imperial clan enters the palace gate without my authorization, behead him. Those who guard laxly shall share the same crime as the offender.” He also assigned three thousand trusted men to serve as the Imperial Guard, placing Cao Hong in command to oversee surveillance. Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu: “Now that Dong Cheng and his party are dead, Ma Teng and Liu Bei are still among those involved. They cannot be left uneliminated.” Cheng Yu said: “Ma Teng garrisons troops in Xiliang and cannot be easily attacked. It is best to send him a letter of consolation, making him unsuspecting, then lure him to the capital to deal with him. As for Liu Bei, he is now in Xuzhou, having established a pincer formation, so he cannot be underestimated. Moreover, Yuan Shao is currently camped at Guandu, constantly scheming against Xuchang. If we march east, Liu Bei will surely seek aid from Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao, taking advantage of our absence, will attack—how can we withstand him?” Cao Cao said: “No. Liu Bei is a man of heroic mettle. If I do not attack him now, once his wings are fully grown, he will be hard to deal with. Yuan Shao, though strong, is hesitant and indecisive—what is there to fear?”

As they were deliberating, Guo Jia entered from outside. Cao Cao asked: “I wish to campaign east against Liu Bei, but I am troubled by Yuan Shao. What should I do?” Guo Jia said: “Yuan Shao is slow and suspicious, and his advisors are jealous of each other—he is not worth worrying about. Liu Bei has only just reorganized his army, and the hearts of his men are not yet with him. If you, Chancellor, lead the army east, one battle will settle the matter.” Cao Cao was overjoyed and said: “Exactly my intention.” So he raised an army of two hundred thousand, divided into five columns, and advanced toward Xiapi.

Scouts learned of this and reported it to Xuzhou. Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to inform Guan Yu, then to Xiaopei to inform Liu Bei. Liu Bei discussed the matter with Sun Qian, saying: “We must seek aid from Yuan Shao to relieve this crisis.” So Liu Bei wrote a letter and sent Sun Qian to Hebei. Sun Qian first went to see Tian Feng, explained the matter in detail, and asked for an introduction. Tian Feng then brought Sun Qian in to see Yuan Shao and presented the letter. They saw Yuan Shao looking haggard, his clothes and cap in disarray. Tian Feng said: “Why is my lord in such a state today?” Yuan Shao said: “I am about to die!” Tian Feng said: “Why does my lord speak thus?” Yuan Shao said: “I have five sons; only the youngest is truly to my liking. He now suffers from a skin infection, and his life hangs in the balance. What heart have I for other matters?” Tian Feng said: “Now Cao Cao is campaigning east against Liu Bei, and Xuchang is empty. If we raise a righteous army and strike while he is away, we can protect the Son of Heaven above and save the common people below. This is an opportunity not easily found. I beg your illustrious lordship to decide.” Yuan Shao said: “I know this is best, but my mind is in turmoil, and I fear misfortune.” Tian Feng said: “What turmoil is there?” Yuan Shao said: “Among my five sons, this one is the most exceptional. If he should meet with harm, my life would be over.” So he was determined not to send troops. He said to Sun Qian: “Return and tell Liu Bei of the reason. If things go badly, he may come to me, and I will help him.” Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and said: “To encounter such a rare opportunity and let it slip because of a child’s illness—the great enterprise is lost! How grievous!” Stamping his feet and sighing, he went out.

Sun Qian, seeing that Yuan Shao would not send troops, had to return overnight to Xiaopei to see Liu Bei and report the matter in detail. Liu Bei was greatly alarmed and said: “What is to be done?” Zhang Fei said: “Elder brother, do not worry. Cao’s troops have come from afar and must be weary. If we attack their camp while they are newly arrived, we can defeat Cao Cao.” Liu Bei said: “I have always taken you for a mere brave man, but when you captured Liu Dai before, you showed great strategy. Now this plan is also in line with the art of war.” So he followed his advice and divided the troops to raid the camp.

Now let us tell how Cao Cao led his army toward Xiaopei. As they were marching, a sudden gale arose, and with a loud crack, a ceremonial banner was snapped. Cao Cao ordered the army to halt and summoned his advisors to inquire about the omen. Xun Yu said: “From which direction did the wind come? What color was the banner that broke?” Cao Cao said: “The wind came from the southeast, breaking a corner banner of green and red.” Xun Yu said: “It portends nothing else—tonight Liu Bei will surely come to raid our camp.” Cao Cao nodded. Suddenly, Mao Jie entered and said: “Just now, a southeast wind arose and broke a green-and-red banner. What does my lord think it portends?” Cao Cao said: “What is your opinion?” Mao Jie said: “In my humble view, it surely portends a raid on our camp tonight.” Later generations composed a poem lamenting:

Alas, the imperial scion’s power was spent,

He trusted in a night raid to break the siege.

But fate foretold the broken banner’s sign—

Why did Heaven aid the treacherous man?

Cao Cao said: “Heaven warns me; I must prepare at once.” So he divided his forces into nine detachments, leaving only one to pitch a false camp ahead, while the rest were placed in ambush on eight sides. That night, the moonlight was faint. Liu Bei took the left flank, Zhang Fei the right, and they set out in two columns, leaving only Sun Qian to guard Xiaopei.

Now Zhang Fei, thinking his plan had succeeded, led his light cavalry ahead and charged into Cao Cao’s camp. But there he saw the camp was sparse and thinly manned; then fire burst out on all sides, and war cries arose everywhere. Zhang Fei realized he had fallen into a trap and hastily dashed out of the camp. From the east came Zhang Liao, from the west Xu Chu, from the south Yu Jin, from the north Li Dian, from the southeast Xu Huang, from the southwest Yue Jin, from the northeast Xiahou Dun, and from the northwest Xiahou Yuan—eight columns of troops attacked him. Zhang Fei charged left and broke through right, shielding the front and blocking the rear, but the soldiers he led were originally Cao Cao’s old troops; seeing the danger, they all surrendered. While Zhang Fei was fighting fiercely, he encountered Xu Huang in a great battle, and then Yue Jin arrived from behind. Zhang Fei cut a bloody path and broke out, with only a few dozen cavalry following. He wanted to return to Xiaopei, but the road was cut off; he thought of fleeing to Xuzhou or Xiapi, but feared Cao’s forces would intercept him. Having no way to go, he could only head for Mangdang Mountain.

As for Liu Bei, he led his troops to raid the camp. As he neared the camp gate, war cries thundered, and a column of troops burst out from behind, cutting off half his men. Xiahou Dun also arrived. Liu Bei broke through and fled, but Xiahou Yuan pursued from the rear. Liu Bei looked back and saw only thirty-odd cavalry following; he hastily tried to race back to Xiaopei, but already saw flames rising from that city, so he had to abandon Xiaopei. He wanted to flee to Xuzhou or Xiapi, but then saw Cao’s troops covering the mountains and plains, blocking the road. Liu Bei thought to himself, with nowhere to go, “Yuan Shao once said: ‘If things go badly, you may come to me.’ Now I might as well go there for shelter and make other plans later.” So he fled toward Qingzhou, but encountered Li Dian blocking the way. Liu Bei, alone on his horse, fled north across the wilderness, while Li Dian captured the cavalry that had been following him.

Now Liu Bei, alone on his horse, headed for Qingzhou, traveling three hundred li in a day. He reached the city of Qingzhou and called at the gate. The gatekeeper asked his name and went to report to the governor. This governor was Yuan Shao’s eldest son, Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan had always respected Liu Bei; hearing that he had come alone, he immediately opened the gate and welcomed him, inviting him into the government office and inquiring about the details. Liu Bei fully explained his defeat and his intention to seek refuge. Yuan Tan then lodged Liu Bei in an official hostel, sent a letter to report to his father Yuan Shao, and dispatched troops from his own province to escort Liu Bei. When they reached the border of Pingyuan, Yuan Shao personally led his officers out from Ye Commandery thirty li to welcome Liu Bei. Liu Bei bowed and thanked him, and Yuan Shao hastily returned the salute, saying, “Some time ago, because my son was ill, I could not come to your aid in time, and I have felt uneasy ever since. Today I am fortunate to meet you, which greatly satisfies my lifelong longing.” Liu Bei said, “I, Liu Bei, in my lonely poverty, have long wished to join your gate, but the opportunity never came. Now, attacked by Cao Cao, my wife and children have fallen into enemy hands. I thought that you, General, could accept worthy men from all corners, so I set aside shame and came straight to seek refuge. I hope you will take me in, and I swear I will repay your kindness.” Yuan Shao was overjoyed, treated Liu Bei with great generosity, and they stayed together in Jizhou.

That same night, Cao Cao captured Xiaopei and immediately advanced to attack Xuzhou. Mi Zhu and Jian Yong could not hold the city, so they abandoned it and fled. Chen Deng surrendered Xuzhou. Cao Cao’s great army entered the city, pacified the people, and then summoned his advisors to discuss capturing Xiapi. Xun Yu said, “Guan Yu is protecting Liu Bei’s family and is holding this city to the death. If we do not take it quickly, I fear Yuan Shao might seize it first.” Cao Cao said, “I have always admired Guan Yu’s martial skill and talents; I want to win him over for my use. Why not send someone to persuade him to surrender?” Guo Jia said, “Guan Yu is deeply loyal and will certainly not surrender. If we send someone to persuade him, I fear he might kill the envoy.” One man stepped forward from the ranks and said, “I have a passing acquaintance with Lord Guan; I am willing to go and persuade him.” Everyone looked—it was Zhang Liao. Cheng Yu said, “Although Zhang Liao has an old acquaintance with Guan Yu, I see that this man cannot be swayed by words. I have a plan that will leave him with no way forward or back; then, if Zhang Liao goes to persuade him, he will surely submit to the Prime Minister.” It was just as the saying goes:

Prepare the hidden bow to shoot the fierce tiger;

Set out the baited hook to catch the giant turtle.

Prepare the hidden bow to shoot the fierce tiger;

Set out the baited hook to catch the giant turtle.

What this plan was, you will see in the next chapter.