Now Li Jue and Guo Si, the two villains, sought to murder Emperor Xian. Zhang Ji and Fan Chou advised against it.

“Do not do that. If we kill him at once, the people will likely not submit. Better keep him as our lord for now, lure the lords into passing the passes, strip away his support first, and then kill him; then the realm might be won.”

Heeding this counsel, Li Jue and Guo Si put back their weapons. From the tower, the emperor announced, “Wang Yun has already been executed. Why have your troops not withdrawn?”

Li Jue and Guo Si replied, “We have done service for the royal house and have not yet been rewarded with noble rank, so we dare not pull back our troops.”

The emperor asked, “What titles do you ask for?”

Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou each submitted written petitions for offices and ranks. The emperor yielded. He made Li Jue General of Chariots and Cavalry, Marquess of Chiyang, and Inspector of the Capital with imperial command token and axe. He made Guo Si Rear General, with the same token and axe, to share oversight of court affairs. He made Fan Chou Right General and Marquess of Wannei. He made Zhang Ji General of Agile Cavalry and Marquess of Pingyang, and ordered him to garrison Hongnong. Li Meng and Wang Fang and the rest were all made Colonels. They offered thanks and then led their troops out of the city.

He then issued orders to recover Dong Zhuo’s remains. They collected scattered bits of skin and bone, carved a likeness from aromatic wood, arranged him with decent ceremony, held an elaborate funeral, clothed him in royal robes, prepared coffin and lid, chose an auspicious day, and moved him to be buried at Meiwu.

On the day of interment, tremendous thunder and rain fell. The flat ground was flooded to several chi. Thunder split open the coffin, and the body was thrown out. Li Jue waited for clear weather and tried to rebury him again. The same thing happened again that night.

They tried three times and still could not bury him. The scraps and bones were all consumed by thunder and fire. The anger of Heaven against Zhuo was truly extreme.

Now that Li Jue and Guo Si held authority, they were cruel toward the people. They placed intimate men near the emperor and watched his movements closely. Court officials rose and fell at their whim. Because of public sentiment, they singled out Zhu Jun and made him Master of the Stables, sharing control of state affairs with him.

One day, news came that Ma Teng, Governor of Longxi, and Han Sui, Inspector of Bing Province, were leading over one hundred thousand troops, hastening to Chang’an and claiming they were coming to punish bandits.

In truth, the two commanders had previously sent men into Chang’an to make secret connections with Court Attendant Ma Yu, Censor Zhong Shao, and Left General Liu Fan. The three had become insiders and advised the emperor in private. The emperor then secretly commissioned Ma Teng as General Who Conquers the West and Han Sui as General Who Guards the West, and ordered them to unite and attack the rebels.

When Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou heard that the two armies were coming, they discussed together how to repel the threat. Jia Xiu advised, “The two armies have traveled far. We should dig deep trenches and raise high ramparts, hold fast and resist. In no more than a hundred days, their grain will run out, and they will be forced to retreat. Then we can pursue and capture both commanders.”

Li Meng and Wang Fang said, “That is not a good plan. Give us ten thousand picked troops. We can execute Ma Teng and Han Sui on their own and bring their heads to you.”

Jia Xiu said, “If we fight now, we will surely be defeated.”

Li Meng and Wang Fang together said, “If we two fail, we will submit our heads to be cut off. If we win, you must give us your heads as promised.”

Jia Xiu then told Li Jue and Guo Si, “Two hundred li west of Chang’an is Zouzhi Mountain. The roads are rough and perilous. Station Generals Zhang Ji and Fan Chou there to hold a fortified wall. Let Li Meng and Wang Fang draw out their army and meet the enemy.”

Li Jue and Guo Si accepted this plan and sent fifteen thousand men and horses with Li Meng and Wang Fang. The two men departed happily and set camp two hundred and eighty li from Chang’an.

When the Western troops arrived, both sides rode out to meet each other. The Western army formed its lines and blocked the road. Riding side by side, Ma Teng and Han Sui came out, and they pointed at Li Meng and Wang Fang and shouted, “Traitors to the realm! Who will capture them?”

Before the words were done, a young general burst forth from within the formation. His face was like a crown jewel, his eyes like shooting stars, his build like a tiger, his arms like those of an ape, with a barrel chest and wolf-like waist. He held a long spear, his horse was swift, and he flew across the front line.

He was Ma Chao, courtesy name Mengqi, son of Ma Teng, seventeen years old and invincible in courage. Wang Fang mocked him for his youth and leapt from his horse to engage him. In only a few thrusts, Ma Chao skewered Wang Fang while he was still mounted. Ma Chao checked his reins and rode back.

Li Meng saw Wang Fang wounded, and he rode hard from a distance to pursue. Ma Chao did not seem to notice, and he purposely delayed. When Li Meng came close and thrust with his spear, Ma Chao sidestepped, Li Meng thrust into empty air, and the two horses came close together. Ma Chao then, with a light swing of his ape-strong arm, took him alive.

With no commander above them, the soldiers panicked and ran for their lives. Ma Teng and Han Sui pressed on with pursuit and won a full victory, pressing down to the camp by the pass and giving the order to behead Li Meng.

When Li Jue and Guo Si learned that both Li Meng and Wang Fang had been killed by Ma Chao, they at last understood Jia Xiu’s foresight. They held strictly to his plan, keeping the passes and forcing him to fight, without riding out themselves. As he had predicted, in less than two months the Western army was short on grain and decided to withdraw.

At that moment in Chang’an, a household servant of Ma Yu exposed his own house and reported it to Liu Fan and Zhong Shao. In truth, they were already in outer alliance with Ma Teng and Han Sui to serve as insiders. Li Jue and Guo Si were furious. They captured all three families and beheaded them in the market, then set the three severed heads in front of the city gate as a public signal. Ma Teng and Han Sui, seeing that supplies had run out and their insiders had failed, had no choice but to lift camp and retreat.

Li Jue and Guo Si ordered Zhang Ji to chase Ma Teng, and Fan Chou to chase Han Sui. The Western-Land force was routed. Ma Chao fought in the rear and drove back Zhang Ji. Fan Chou rode on in pursuit of Han Sui; soon he caught up near Chen Cang.

Han Sui reined up beside him and said, “We are from the same homeland. Why are you so merciless today?”

Fan Chou also pulled his horse up and replied, “The emperor’s command cannot be disobeyed.”

Han Sui said, “I came only for the realm. Why must you press me so hard?”

After hearing this, Fan Chou turned his horse, drew back his men, and returned to camp, letting Han Sui go.

Without warning, Li Jue’s nephew Li Bie saw Fan Chou letting Han Sui pass and reported it to his uncle. Li Jue became furious and wanted to raise troops against Fan Chou. Jia Xiu said, “At present the people’s minds are unsettled; frequent calls to arms are highly unfit. Why not hold a banquet? Invite Zhang Ji and Fan Chou to celebrate the victory, and while they are still on the mat, seize and behead Fan Chou with no cost.”

Li Jue agreed immediately and set a banquet for Zhang Ji and Fan Chou. The two generals came gladly. By mid-session, Li Jue suddenly changed color and said, “Why did Fan Chou communicate with Han Sui and intend rebellion?”

Startled, Fan Chou had not yet answered when the executioners marched out and immediately beheaded him before the hall. Zhang Ji, frightened, fell to the ground. Li Jue raised him and said, “Fan Chou plotted rebellion, and therefore he was executed. You are one of my intimate men. Why should you panic?” He handed command of Fan Chou’s troops to Zhang Ji, and Zhang Ji withdrew to Hongnong.

After Li Jue and Guo Si had defeated the Western army, no lord dared oppose them. Jia Xiu repeatedly urged pacification and recruitment of worthy men. There was then a little vitality again at court. Unexpectedly, Yellow Turbans in Qingzhou rose again: tens of thousands assembled, with all ranks mixed, plundering good households.

The Master of the Stables, Zhu Jun, presented one man who could crush the bandits. Li Jue and Guo Si asked who he was.

Zhu Jun said, “To defeat the rebel bands in Shandong, no one but Cao Mengde can do it.”

Li Jue asked, “Where is Mengde now?”

Zhu Jun replied, “He is the Governor of Dong Commandery. If he is ordered, he commands many troops and can break this rebel force by dawn.”

Li Jue rejoiced and in the night issued an edict. He sent it to Dong Commandery with orders for Cao Cao and Bao Xin to destroy the rebels together.

Cao Cao accepted the imperial decree, joined Bao Xin, and raised troops. At Shouyang they struck the rebels. Bao Xin pressed deep and was killed by the enemy. Cao Cao pursued the enemy to Jibei, where many surrendered.

He employed the surrendered bandits as his vanguard, and his soldiers and horsemen spread everywhere, bringing all others to submit. In just over a hundred days, over three hundred thousand surrendered soldiers and more than one million men and women came to him. He selected the finest and called them “Qingzhou troops”; the rest were sent back to farming.

From then onward, Cao Cao’s fame grew daily. When the victory report arrived in Chang’an, the court promoted him to General Who Guards the East.

While in Yanzhou, Cao Cao recruited men of talent. An uncle and nephew came to surrender to him: Xun Yu, surname Xun, given name Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, son of Xun Kun. He had served Yuan Shao, and now had abandoned Yuan Shao and submitted to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was delighted with their conversation and said, “You are my Son of Heaven’s advisor!” He made Xun Yu Army Marshal.

His nephew Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, a famous gentleman of the realm, had once served as Gentleman of the Yellow Gates. He had left office and returned home, and now came with his uncle to submit to Cao Cao. Cao made him Army Instructor.

Xun Yu said, “I have heard there is a worthy man in Yanzhou, but I do not know where he is now.” Cao asked who it was.

“He is from Dong’e in Dong Province: surname Cheng, given name Yu, courtesy name Zhongde.”

Cao Cao said, “I have heard his name for a long time.” He sent men to ask around the district. They found him studying in the mountains. Cao then invited him.

When Cheng Yu arrived, Cao Cao was greatly pleased.

Cheng Yu told Xun Yu, “I am limited in learning and talent; I do not deserve the recommendation you gave. In your area there is a worthy man, surname Guo, given name Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao. He is one of the greatest among living worthies. Why do you not gather him and bring him?”

Xun Yu suddenly realized, “I nearly forgot him.” He petitioned Cao to summon Guo Jia to Yanzhou to discuss matters of the world.

Guo Jia then recommended Liu Ye, a true-line descendant of Emperor Guangwu, from Chengde in Huainan, surname Liu, given name Ye, courtesy name Ziyang. Cao immediately recruited him. Liu Ye then recommended two men: one from Changyi in Shanyang, surname Man, given name Chong, courtesy name Boning; one from Wucheng, surname Lü, given name Qian, courtesy name Zike.

Cao Cao had long known both of their reputations and recruited both as attendants. Man Chong and Lü Qian together recommended another, a man from Pingqiu in Chenliu, surname Mao, given name Jie, courtesy name Xiaoxian. Cao also recruited him as an attendant.

A commander then arrived with several hundred cavalrymen to serve Cao Cao. He was from Juping in Taishan, surname Yu, given name Jin, courtesy name Wenze. Cao saw that he was exceptionally skilled in horsemanship and martial arts and appointed him Assistant Army Commandant.

One day Xiahou Dun brought a huge man before Cao Cao. When Cao asked who he was, Dun said, “He is from Chenliu: surname Dian, name Wei, very strong in strength. He formerly followed Zhang Miao and quarreled with men under him, killing dozens; then he fled to the mountains. In a hunt, I saw him chasing deer through a ravine, so I brought him into the army. I now recommend him especially.”

Cao said, “I see in him a broad face and powerful form. He must be greatly brave.”

Dun said, “He once avenged a friend by killing a man, and he walked the market with the severed head on a pole, so hundreds dared not go near him. Now he carries two iron halberds, each weighing eighty jin, and with them mounted he moves like the wind.”

Cao ordered Wei to be tested.

Wei fastened the halberds on horseback and rode back and forth at full speed. Suddenly a large standard in camp was blown by the wind and nearly fell. The soldiers nearby could not hold it. Wei dismounted and shouted them back, then with one hand gripped the pole and stood in the wind, unmoving.

Cao said, “Such force comes from the old ages.” He made him Colonel Before the Canopy, stripped off his embroidered robe, and granted him a fine horse with carved saddle.

From then on, Cao Cao had in his army both brilliant strategists and fierce generals. He was feared in Shandong.

He then sent Ying Shao, Governor of Taishan, to Langye to bring his father Cao Song forward. Cao Song had been avoiding danger in Chenliu and was living in hiding in Langye. He received the letter, then with his younger brother Cao De and over forty attendants of his household, plus more than a hundred followers and over a hundred wagons, set off straight for Yanzhou.

Passing through Xu Province, he met Tao Qian, courtesy name Gongzu, a man of warm and honest nature. Tao Qian had wanted to welcome Cao Cao but had not found a way. Learning that Cao Song was coming, he came out to receive him at the gate, bowed repeatedly and honored him, then hosted him in a grand banquet for two days.

When Cao Song prepared to depart, Tao Qian personally saw him out of the gate and assigned County Commandant Zhang Kai with five hundred men to escort him.

Cao Song and his household arrived at the Hwa-Fei pass, and in late summer and early autumn a sudden heavy rain came, so they were forced to seek shelter in an old temple. The monk there admitted them. Cao Song settled his household and ordered Zhang Kai’s soldiers to take up positions in both corridors.

Their garments were soaked through and all the soldiers complained in one voice. Zhang Kai then summoned his lieutenants to a quiet place and said, “We were once the remnants of the Yellow Turbans and have only weakly submitted to Tao Qian. There is little to gain in that. Now Cao Song has an endless train of wagons and baggage. If you want fortune and rank, it is not difficult. At the third watch tonight, we all break in together, kill Cao Song and his family, seize their goods, and flee to the mountains as bandits. What do you think?”

All approved.

That night the rain and wind did not cease. Cao Song was seated when he heard shouts erupting around the temple walls. Cao De drew his sword to look out and was stabbed to death.

Cao Song rushed with one concubine into the rear of the abbot’s chamber to flee over the wall. The concubine was heavy and could not pass. In haste, Cao Song and the concubine hid in a latrine and were killed by the raiders. Ying Shao escaped at the risk of his life and eventually went to Yuan Shao.

Zhang Kai killed Cao Song’s entire family, took their property, set the temple ablaze, and fled with five hundred men toward Huainan.

A poem later was said:

Cao Cao’s treacherous cleverness was praised under heaven; he once killed the entire Lü household. Now his own household meets killers of strangers at home, and Heaven’s justice circles back without fail.

A soldier under Ying Shao who escaped and ran reported to Cao Cao. When Cao heard, he collapsed to the ground in tears. They pulled him back.

Through clenched teeth he said, “Tao Qian’s troops slaughtered my father. This feud can be shared by none under heaven. I will now raise a full army, scour Xu Province, and at last settle this grudge!”

He left Xun Yu and Cheng Yu with thirty thousand men to guard Jucheng, Fan County, and the three counties of Dong’e, while the rest moved into Xu Province. Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Dian Wei went as vanguard.

Cao Cao ordered that wherever a city was taken, its inhabitants should all be slaughtered to avenge his father.

At that time, Bian Rang, governor of Jiujiang and close associate of Tao Qian, heard of the danger in Xu Province. He came with five thousand men to help. When Cao heard this, he flew into anger and ordered Xiahou Dun to intercept and kill him on the road.

At that moment, Chen Gong, an attendant of Dong Commandery and likewise close to Tao Qian, heard that Cao Cao had raised an army to take revenge and intended to kill the citizens, and he came late at night to see Cao Cao. Cao knew he was speaking as Tao Qian’s envoy. Though he wanted not to see him and could not fully forget former favors, he invited him into camp.

Chen Gong said, “I have heard, my lord, that with your great army you have entered Xu Province to avenge your honored father, and you now mean to exterminate the civilians. Here is what happened, however: it was the evil of Zhang Kai. It is not Tao Qian’s fault. And what grievance do the people of the counties have against you? Killing them is inauspicious. Please reflect once more.”

Cao replied angrily, “You abandoned me before and now have no shame to return to me? Tao Qian has slaughtered my household. I swear to tear out his heart and wash away my hatred! Even if you speak on his behalf, why should I heed your words?”

Chen Gong stepped back and said in grief, “I too have no face with which to meet Tao Qian.” He then rode off to Chenliu Governor Zhang Miao.

Now, where Cao Cao’s army arrived, it left slaughter among the people and even dug up graves. In Xu Province, Tao Qian, hearing that Cao had raised troops to avenge his father and was slaughtering commoners, looked to Heaven and cried out, “My guilt to Heaven is what has made the people of Xu Province suffer this great calamity!”

He quickly gathered officials and deliberated. Cao Bao said, “Cao’s army has arrived. We cannot stand and wait for death. I will help my lord break them.”

Tao Qian had no choice but to bring troops out. From afar, Cao’s army looked like frosted earth becoming snow. In the central command he raised two white banners, each with four characters, “Avenge and wash away resentment” (“Avenge and Wash the Grudge”).

The horse and foot formed in line.

Cao Cao rode out of his ranks in plain white robes, whip raised, and yelled out abuses. Tao Qian also rode out beneath the city gate and, bowing low, spoke: “I had wanted to be on good terms with you, my lord, so I entrusted Zhang Kai. I cannot claim he has changed to villainy by his own heart. It was not Tao Qian’s doing; please examine this carefully.”

Cao shouted back, “Old fool! You killed my father, and you still dare to speak out of turn! Who can capture that old villain alive?”

Hearing this, Xiahou Dun stepped forward at once. Tao Qian panicked and rode into formation. Xiahou Dun chased him. Cao Bao thrust a spear and leapt onto his horse to meet him. As the horses came near each other, a furious wind rose, flying sand and stones everywhere. The two armies were thrown into confusion and each withdrew its men.

Tao Qian entered the city and discussed with the crowd: “Cao’s force is vast and hard to withstand. I should bind myself and ride to Cao’s camp to let them cut me open if needed, saving the people of Xu Province.” Before he had finished, a man stepped forward and said, “For many years you have ruled Xu Province, and the people are grateful. Though Cao’s army is large, it has not yet broken through our walls. You should hold the city and do not ride out. Though I am unworthy, I can offer a small stratagem: we can make it so that Cao Cao has no place to be buried alive.”

Everyone was shocked and asked how to avoid this fate. Exactly then:

To welcome and admit allies only to have them turn to enemies, who would have guessed that at the very edge of destruction one might yet meet life again?

How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.