Cao Cao was already in a frantic withdrawal when a full troop came from the south. Xiahou Dun then led his force to aid him and blocked Lü Bu for a major fight. By dusk the battle was still raging when heavy rain poured down. The two sides pulled back their troops in different directions, and Cao Cao returned to camp, rewarding Dian Wei heavily and promoting him to Colonel of the Vanguard.

When Lü Bu reached camp he conferred with Chen Gong. Chen Gong said, “In the city of Puyang there is the wealthy Tian household, a great household of the commandery with a thousand retainers. Send a secret man to Cao Cao’s camp with a letter saying that Marquis Wenhou Lü is cruel and heartless, and the people have a deep grievance against him. He now intends to move troops to Liyang. There is only Gao Shun in the city, and I can serve as an insider. If Cao Cao comes, lure him in. Light fires at all four gates and station an ambush outside. Though Cao Cao has talent enough to govern heaven and earth, how can he get out once he is here?”

Lü Bu followed his plan and sent a man from the Tian house straight to Cao Cao’s camp. Cao Cao was still shaken by his recent defeat and in no hurry to decide when he was told that the Tian envoy had arrived and submitted a secret letter: “Lü Bu has gone to Liyang and the city is largely empty. Hurry and come. I will act as your insider. If you see a white banner with the character 義 (‘righteousness’) on the city wall, that is our signal.”

“Heaven has granted me Puyang,” Cao Cao said in delight. He rewarded the messenger and at once set his troops in order. Liu Ye said, “Lü Bu may lack strategy, but Chen Gong has many plans. Yet this may be a ruse, and we must not be careless. If you want to go, divide your army into three groups: two groups to wait outside the city, and one to enter the city.”

Cao Cao took his advice and divided the force into three columns, then came to Puyang’s walls. Looking up first, he saw banners raised all over the city; on the west gate turret a white flag with the character “義” appeared, and his heart warmed within him. At the midday watch the gate opened. Two generals led troops out to meet them: Hou Cheng in front, Gao Shun behind. Cao Cao sent Dian Wei forward to take Hou Cheng at once. Hou Cheng could not stand the attack and turned back toward the city. By the time Dian Wei reached the bridge, Gao Shun could not hold him either, and both retreated inside.

Then several soldiers forced their way through and came to see Cao Cao, saying they were men from the Tian household. They presented another secret letter: “Tonight at the first watch, when drums sound from the wall, it is time to advance. One of us will open the gate.” Cao Cao gave Xiahou Dun the left side and Cao Hong the right, while he himself led Xiahou Yuan, Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Dian Wei to enter.

Li Dian said, “Your Excellency should remain outside. Let us enter first.”

“If I do not go first, who will go ahead?” Cao Cao snapped, and led the van in.

At the first watch of night, with no moonlight yet, they heard shell-like clappers from the west gate and sudden shouts. Torchlight blazed at the gate; it was thrown wide, and the bridge was lowered. Cao Cao urged his horse forward and entered first. By the time they reached the yamen not a single person was in sight. Realizing the trick, he wheeled around and shouted, “Fall back!”

A loud blast sounded from the yamen. Flames shot up from all four gates and roared toward the sky; gongs and drums rang together; the shouting sounded like the sea in spate. Zhang Liao came out through the east alley and Zang Ba from the west, and the two pressed in together to butcher. Cao Cao ran for the north gate and was met by Haomeng and Cao Xing, who killed another group before him. He rushed on toward the south gate, where Gao Shun and Hou Cheng blocked him. Dian Wei bared his teeth and charged through. Gao Shun and Hou Cheng ran out of the city.

Dian Wei charged to the bridge and then found he could no longer see Cao Cao. He pivoted and rushed back into the city. There at the gate he struck against Li Dian.

“Where is the lord?”

“I have not found him either,” Dian Wei replied. “You stay outside and call in the rescuers. I will enter and search for the lord.” Li Dian left.

Dian Wei entered and searched but found no trace. He fought out again to the moat edge and met Yue Jin.

Yue Jin asked, “Where is the lord?”

“I entered twice and still cannot find him,” Dian Wei replied.

“Then I’ll ride in with you,” Yue Jin said.

The two rode to the gate. A cannon shot rattled down from above. Yue Jin’s horse could not enter. Dian Wei pushed through in smoke and flame and broke in again, searching all around.

Now Cao Cao saw Dian Wei ride out. He found horsemen cutting him off on every side and could not come out by the south gate. He turned to the north gate, and through the firelight saw Lü Bu come riding hard, halberd raised. Cao Cao covered his face, lashed his horse, and somehow leapt past.

Lü Bu thundered after him and struck the halberd on the top of Cao Cao’s helmet. “Where is Cao Cao?”

“The rider on the yellow horse out front is he,” Cao Cao said.

Hearing this, Lü Bu discarded caution and drove after the rider in pursuit. Cao Cao turned his horse toward the east gate and happened to meet Dian Wei. Dian Wei cleared a bloody way and shielded Cao Cao. At the gate the flames were fierce. Bundles of brushwood lay heaped under the wall, and fire covered the ground. Dian Wei used his halberd to shove open a path, his horse charging through smoke first and bursting out. Cao Cao followed immediately.

As they reached the gate pass a burning beam fell from above and struck Cao Cao’s horse in the haunch. It pitched and crashed to the ground. Cao Cao braced the beam with his hands and shoved it down, but his arms, beard, and hair were badly burned. Dian Wei turned back to help him at just the right moment, and Xiahou Yuan also arrived. The two brought Cao Cao out and dashed through the fire. Cao Cao mounted Xiahou Yuan’s horse, and Dian Wei cut a wide bloody road as they ran.

They fought in and out until dawn before Cao Cao finally returned to camp. The officers knelt and greeted him. Looking up, he laughed: “I have been outwitted by one coarse fellow, and I must repay it.”

Guo Jia said, “The plan can be carried out at once.”

Cao Cao answered, “Let us counter-plan with counter-plan. Publicly, say I was burned and that the fire and heat have taken me; by the fifth watch I am dead. Lü Bu will then come forward to attack. I have hidden my best troops in Maoling Mountain. When half his force had crossed the bridge and was mid-crossing, strike them. Lü Bu can be taken.” Guo Jia approved, “That is truly a good stratagem.”

So he ordered soldiers to hang mourning cloth and announce his death. Before long a man came to Puyang to report to Lü Bu that Cao Cao had been burned, that his limbs had been scorched, and that he had already died in camp. Lü Bu quickly mounted and rode for Maoling.

As his army drew near, one drum beat, and the hidden troops rose. Lü Bu barely fought his way out, though many men and horses were lost. He returned to Puyang defeated and held close to the city walls.

That year locusts suddenly swarmed up and stripped the grain. Across Guan Dong, a hu of grain fetched fifty guan, and people preyed upon each other to survive. Cao Cao, seeing his army’s grain gone, returned to Juancheng and withdrew briefly. Lü Bu also moved out and camped at Shanyang to forage. Thus both sides briefly stood down their campaigns.

Now Tao Qian, whose courtesy name was Gongzu, was in Xu Province. He was sixty-three, and suddenly his illness deepened. He summoned Mi Zhu and Chen Deng to deliberate. Mi Zhu said, “Cao Cao’s troops left only because they came to strike Yanzhou. Now because of the shortage this year they have ceased, but next spring they will come again. Lord Tao tried twice to give up his command to Liu Xuande, but at that time you were still strong, so he refused. Now your illness is grave, and this is the moment to do so openly; Liu Bei will surely not decline.”

Tao Qian was overjoyed and sent word to Xiaopei to summon Liu Bei to discuss military affairs. Liu Bei arrived with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and several dozen riders, and Tao Qian invited him into his bedchamber. After Liu Bei offered his respects, Tao Qian said, “I ask Liu Gong to come not for anything else. I am old and gravely sick, and life is uncertain from dawn to dusk. If the lord values these Han cities, please take over the seal of command for Xu Province, so I may die at peace.”

Liu Bei said, “You have two sons. Why not pass the post to them?”

Tao Qian answered, “The elder is Shang, the younger Ying; neither has the talent for this station. Even after I die, I still hope you will guide them and not let them hold this command.”

Liu Bei said, “How can I, one man, carry such a heavy charge?”

Tao Qian said, “I can point to one man to be your assistant. He is from Beihai, surname Sun, given name Qian, courtesy name Gongyou. He can serve as congshi. Also tell Mi Zhu: Liu Gong is foremost among men now; you must serve him well.”

Liu Bei still hesitated. Tao Qian pointed to his chest and died. The officers wept and, after all mourning rites, presented the seal to Liu Bei. Liu Bei still resisted.

The next day the people of Xu Province crowded before the office and wept: “If Lord Liu does not take this commandery, we cannot live in peace!” Guan Yu and Zhang Fei again and again urged him. Liu Bei therefore agreed to assume authority, temporarily granting Sun Qian and Mi Zhu as assistants and Chen Deng as his secretary; he brought in the Xiaopei troops and posted the peace notice to calm the people. At the same time he arranged for the burial matters. Liu Bei and all officers and soldiers donned mourning cloth and held a grand memorial. After the rite he buried Tao Qian at the plain by the Yellow River and carried his testament to court.

At this time Cao Cao, in Juancheng, heard Tao Qian was dead and that Liu Bei had become Governor of Xu Province. He grew furious: “My grievance has not yet been repaid. You won’t spend even half an arrow’s worth, and yet you have come by Xu Province! I will first kill Liu Bei and only then hang Qian’s corpse to clear my father’s resentment.” He gave immediate orders to move out against Xu Province the next day.

Xun Yu interceded. “In former times, Emperor Gaozu held Guanzhong and Emperor Guangwu held Henan. Both rooted deeply and made their base secure; then they could win against enemies and stand firm in defense. So even when in hardship they still accomplished their great work. My lord began with Yanzhou, and the He and Ji region is the key of all under heaven, just as Guanzhong and Henan were in old days. If you take Xu Province and keep too many troops there, they are wasted; keep too few and Lü Bu will exploit the opening and raid, and you lose Yanzhou. If Yanzhou falls, where can my lord stand? Though Tao Qian is dead, Liu Bei already holds Xu Province and its people have submitted to him. They will fight to the death for Liu Bei. To abandon Yanzhou and go after Xu Province is to abandon the root for the branch, seeking the lesser when the greater lies at hand.”

Cao Cao said, “This year the land suffers from famine and my soldiers have no grain to guard long here. This is no sound policy.”

Xun Yu said, “Then march east and forage in Chen territory. In Yuzhou and Yingshan, Yellow Turban remnants like He Yi and Huang Shao are raiding commanderies and counties; they possess much gold and grain. Those bandits are easy to break. Breaking them and seizing their stores will feed three armies. The court will be satisfied and the people glad. That is the way of Heaven.”

Cao Cao agreed. He left Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to hold Juancheng and nearby posts, and he led his force east to Chen land, then to Yu and Ying. He Yi and Huang Shao, hearing Cao’s troops approaching, came out with their followers and met at Mount Yang. Though their soldiers were many, they were a rabble, with no formation or line. Cao Cao ordered the heavy-bow and crossbowmen to pin them and had Dian Wei lead. He Yi sent his vice-general to fight; he could not withstand three exchanges, and Dian Wei pierced him once with a halberd at the horse’s base. Cao Cao drove the force across the mountain’s foot to camp.

The next day Huang Shao led troops in person. In the circular formation a single commander came out on foot, head wrapped in a yellow turban, body in a green jacket, iron bar in hand. He shouted, “I am He Man, the Night-Crushing Scourge. Who dares fight me?” Cao Hong saw him and gave a great shout, leaping from his horse and stepping out with his sabre.

The two clashed and fought in front of the lines for forty or fifty exchanges with no clear winner. Cao Hong feigned defeat and withdrew. He Man chased him, and Cao Hong turned the blade on its back and with one leap cut him down, then finished him with a second stroke. Li Dian then flew into the rebel ranks with his horse. Huang Shao could not recover in time and was taken alive by Li Dian.

The Cao troops slaughtered the bandits and seized a great quantity of gold, valuables, and grain. He Yi became isolated and led a few hundred riders to run toward Gefu. While running, a force emerged behind the mountain. The first of them was a broad-shouldered warrior, eight chi tall, waist ten fists around; he held a great sword and cut off their way.

He Yi thrust his spear and countered, but in one exchange the warrior lifted him cleanly over his shoulder and carried him. The rest dismounted at once and surrendered, and the warrior drove them all into the Gefu stockade.

Still, Dian Wei pursued He Yi to Gefu, where the warrior blocked him with his army.

Dian Wei said, “Are you a Yellow Turban rebel too?”

The warrior replied, “All the Yellow Turban riders—hundreds of them—I have all captured in the stockade.”

Dian Wei asked, “Why won’t you surrender them?”

The warrior said, “If you can win the precious sword in my hand, then I will yield.”

Dian Wei grew furious and thrust both his halberds forward to fight. They fought from morning to midday without either gaining advantage and taking little rest. Soon after, the warrior came out again and Dian Wei also entered the fray. The struggle continued to dusk, and then both temporarily withdrew when their horses grew exhausted. Before long the warrior broke off again, and Dian Wei’s men reported the battle’s progress to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was startled and quickly brought his commanders to see.

The next day the warrior returned to battle again. Cao Cao watched him and quietly rejoiced in his strength. He ordered Dian Wei to feign defeat for the day.

Dian Wei obeyed. After thirty exchanges he withdrew to the rear. The warrior chased him to the gate and returned arrows from his bow and crossbow. Cao Cao pulled his army back five li and quietly ordered soldiers to dig a pit, hiding hook-men within.

The next day he again sent Dian Wei out with about a hundred riders. The warrior laughed, “How could a beaten general dare come back?”

He spurred his horse and engaged. After only a few exchanges Dian Wei turned away and rode back. The warrior only chased forward, eyes fixed on him, not on the ground, and fell into the prepared pit with horse and rider. Hook-men dragged him in and brought him before Cao Cao. Cao Cao pushed the soldiers back from him, personally unbound him, put him in robes, seated him, and asked about his hometown and name.

The warrior said, “I am from Qiao County of Qiao State. My surname is Xu, my given name is Chu, and my courtesy name is Zhongkang. When bandit trouble struck, I gathered several hundred kinsmen and built a strong stockade here for defense. When the raiders came one day, I ordered everyone to gather stones. I threw stone after stone myself and never missed; the raiders withdrew.

Another day the raiders returned and we had no grain in the stockade, so we bargained with them: plow oxen for rice. When the rice arrived, the raiders drove the oxen outside the stockade. The animals bolted homeward, and I seized both tails with both hands, pulling them back a hundred steps. The raiders were startled; they did not dare take the oxen and fled. So we held this place in peace.”

Cao Cao said, “Your name has reached me long ago. Are you willing to surrender?” Xu Chu answered, “That has long been my wish.” He therefore called in several hundred of his clan at once.

Cao Cao appointed Xu Chu as Colonel, rewarding him richly. He then ordered He Yi and Huang Shao put to death. Yu and Ying were fully pacified.

When Cao Cao then returned from the campaign, Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun came and reported that intelligence said soldiers under Xue Lan and Li Feng from Yanzhou had gone out to plunder, leaving the cities open. One drum and one charge could take them. Cao Cao immediately marched straight for Yanzhou.

Xue Lan and Li Feng were caught off guard and had to ride out to meet him. Xu Chu said, “I wish to take both men as an offering in sacrifice.” Cao Cao approved and ordered him forward.

Li Feng raised a halberd and charged. Two exchanges of cavalry clashed, then Xu Chu cut Li Feng down beneath his horse. Xue Lan turned back to rejoin his lines; at the bridge edge Li Dian blocked him. Xue Lan did not dare return into the city and led his troops toward Juyê. But Lü Qian came riding and shot an arrow beneath his horse; the force was scattered.

Cao Cao recovered Yanzhou, and Cheng Yu asked to advance on Puyang. Cao ordered Xu Chu and Dian Wei as vanguard, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan on the left wing, Li Dian and Yue Jin on the right, and himself taking the center, with Yu Jin and Lü Qian covering the rear. When the army reached Puyang, Lü Bu wanted to lead a sortie himself. Chen Gong counseled him not to: “Do not go out yet; wait until all your commanders are assembled.” Lü Bu replied, “Who is there for me to fear?” and disobeyed, riding out to battle with his halberd raised.

Xu Chu charged out. After twenty rounds neither side had gained an edge. Cao Cao said, “Lü Bu is no opponent one man can beat,” and ordered Dian Wei to assist. The two joined and attacked together. Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan came on the left, Li Dian and Yue Jin on the right, and the six together pressed Lü Bu. He could not hold and rode back to the city. Atop the wall, the Tian family saw him return, and at once called to haul up the bridge. Lü Bu shouted, “Open the gate!”

“I have already surrendered to General Cao,” they replied.

Lü Bu shouted curses and rode to Dingtao. Chen Gong quickly opened the east gate to protect Lü Bu’s household. Cao therefore took Puyang and pardoned the old crimes of the Tian household.

Liu Ye said, “Lü Bu is a fierce tiger. Though exhausted today, he should be given no room.”

Cao left Liu Ye and others in Puyang and led his own troops to Dingtao. Lü Bu, Zhang Miao, and Zhang Chao were all in the city then. Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, and Hou Cheng had gone out to gather provisions and had not yet returned.

Cao’s army reached Dingtao and, without battle for several days, drew back forty li to encamp. It was ripening season in Jizhou, so Cao ordered the troops to cut and eat the wheat. Spies told Lü Bu of this. Lü Bu came with speed toward Cao’s camp. As he neared, he saw lush woods on the left side and, fearing ambush, pulled back.

Cao Cao saw that Lü Bu had turned back and said to his commanders, “Lü Bu only suspects soldiers in the woods. Let him suspect still: place many banners in the trees. Along the western line the long dike is dry and has no water; conceal our finest troops there. Tomorrow Lü Bu will surely come and burn the trees. We will cut him off from the rear at the dike and take him.”

He left fifty drummers inside camp beating through the night and rounded up men and women from the village and forced them to cry out inside the camp. The best troops lay hidden in the dike.

Lü Bu returned to report to Chen Gong. “Cao uses too many tricks. Do not challenge him lightly,” Chen Gong said.

“I will use fire attack and break the ambush,” Lü Bu said. He left Chen Gong and Gao Shun to guard the city and drew up his army the next day.

From afar Lü Bu saw banners in the woods and drove his men forward in one huge press, burning on four sides. No one answered; when he tried to drive into camp, drumming sounded with a tremendous shock. Lü Bu was still in doubt, and suddenly a large force burst out behind the camp. He drove forward at once. As cannon boomed in answer, the hidden force in the dike came out together: Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu, Dian Wei, Li Dian, Yue Jin, all bursting from horseback to strike.

Lü Bu judged he could not match them and broke and ran. In the mêlée one of his lieutenants, Cheng Lian, was killed by a shot from Yue Jin. Lü Bu’s army withdrew three times, and on two of those his men were beaten back. A few survivors reported to Chen Gong. He said, “A city empty is hard to hold. Better to leave at once.” He and Gao Shun protected Lü Bu’s household and withdrew, abandoning Dingtao.

Cao Cao’s victors surged in like a split bamboo and cut their way through the city. Zhang Chao set himself on fire, and Zhang Miao fled to Yuan Shu. Shandong as a whole came under Cao’s grasp. The pacification and repair of the city is not recounted here.

Now Lü Bu was again on the move and all his generals were returning in order. Chen Gong had found them as well. Lü Bu said, “Though my force is small, we can still break Cao.” He then led out his army again. It is said:

In war, victory and defeat remain uncertain as ever; a reformed host can return when none expected it.
Who knows how Lü Bu will fare? How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.