Gao Shun led Zhang Liao against Guan Yu's stockade, while Lü Bu personally attacked Zhang Fei's stockade. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei each rode out to meet battle; Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande, brought forces forward in two columns to support them. Lü Bu split his force and came on from behind. The armies of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both broke. Liu Bei led a score or two riders back toward Pei City.

Lü Bu closed on him. Liu Bei rushed back to the wall to order the soldiers to lower the drawbridge. Lü Bu soon arrived. The men on the wall prepared to shoot arrows, but feared they might strike Liu Bei. Taking that opening, Lü Bu rushed through the gate. The gate guards resisted, but could not hold and scattered. Lü Bu called in his troops and entered the city. Realizing things had become urgent and home was beyond reach, Liu Bei abandoned his wife and children, slipped through the gate, rode out through the west gate, and fled on a single horse.

When Lü Bu arrived at Liu Bei's home, Mi Zhu came out to greet him and said, "I have heard that a true man does not cast aside another man's wife and children. Now the man contending with you for all under heaven is Cao Gong. Liu Bei always remembers his debt at Yuan Gate and the spear-thrust, so he dared not betray your favor. I have no choice but to have yielded to Cao Gong; I beg you to show pity to him." Lü Bu replied, "I am old friends with Liu Bei. How could I harm his wife and children?"

He told Mi Zhu to lead Liu Bei's wife and children out and settle them in Xuzhou. Lü Bu himself drew his force eastward into Shandong, to the boundary of Yanzhou, and left Gao Shun and Zhang Liao to hold Xiao Pei. By then Sun Qian had already escaped outside the city. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei each gathered some men and moved into the hills to hide.

Now Liu Bei, while fleeing on a single horse, was pursued from behind; as he rode he saw a man catch up. It was Sun Qian.

Liu Bei said, "I do not know whether my two younger brothers are alive, and my wife and children have become scattered. What should I do?" Sun Qian said, "Do not do anything rash. Go to Cao Cao for now and then think of a later plan."

Liu Bei followed his counsel and took back roads to Xuchang. On the road they ran out of grain. Whenever they entered a village in search of food, they heard of the arrival of the Governor of Yu Province, and everyone rushed to offer them wine and food.

One day they stopped at an inn. A young boy came out and bowed, asking his name. He was Liu An, a hunter.

When Liu An learned that the governor of Yu Province had arrived, he sought game for a meal but could not get any at once, so he killed his wife and prepared her for cooking. Liu Bei asked, "What meat is this?" An said, "It is wolf meat."

Liu Bei did not doubt him and ate a full meal. He stayed there overnight. At dawn he left, went to the rear court for his horse, and saw a woman dead in the kitchen, with flesh already cut from her arm. Liu Bei was startled, and then learned that the food he had just eaten was his wife's flesh. He could not hide his grief and mounted after tears.

Liu An said, "I meant to follow Your Lordship, but my old mother is in the hall. I cannot travel far with her."

Liu Bei thanked him and left, then took the road out of Liang City.

Suddenly dust darkened the sky and a mighty host came charging. Liu Bei recognized Cao Cao's army. He and Sun Qian rode straight to the main camp and met Cao Cao. They explained in full how Pei City was lost, how the two younger brothers had been separated, and how Liu Bei had lost his family. Cao Cao too was moved and shed tears. Liu Bei also described how Liu An had killed his wife for food. Cao Cao ordered Sun Qian to take one hundred taels of gold to reward him.

The army entered Jibei, and Xiahou Yuan and other officers met them on arrival, reporting that his brother Xiahou Dun had lost one eye, was bedridden, and had not yet recovered.

Cao Cao visited him at his sickbed, ordered him to return to Xuchang to recover, and at the same time sent men to find out where Lü Bu was.

A scouting rider reported, "Lü Bu has allied with Chen Gong and Zang Ba and the Mount Tai bandit bands, and together they are attacking the commanderies of Yanzhou."

Cao Cao immediately ordered Cao Ren to lead three thousand troops against Pei City. He himself marshaled the army and marched with Liu Bei to engage Lü Bu. They reached Shandong and near Xiaoguan, where they encountered bandits Sun Guan, Wu Dun, Yin Li, and Chang Xi from Mount Tai blocking the way. Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu to meet them. The four generals rode out together. Xu Chu fought fiercely, but all four could not stand and withdrew one by one. Cao Cao pressed the advantage and chased to Xiaoguan, and a courier galloped back to Lü Bu.

By then Lü Bu had returned to Xuzhou and wished to go out with Chen Deng to rescue Xiao Pei. He ordered Chen Gui to defend Xuzhou.

As Chen Deng mounted to leave, Chen Gui said, "Cao Gong once told me he had placed the eastern affairs entirely in your hands. If Bu is likely to be defeated, act while there is time." Chen Deng replied, "I can manage outside matters; if Bu loses and comes back, ask Father to hold the city with Mi Zhu and do not let Bu in. I myself will devise a way to get out." Chen Gui said, "Bu's wife and children are here, and you have many trusted men deep inside. What can be done in this case?" Chen Deng said, "I have a plan as well." He went in to report to Lü Bu.

"Xuzhou is under pressure from all four sides and Cao Cao will certainly attack with force. We must first think about withdrawing. Move the grain stores to Xiapi. If Xuzhou is besieged, Xiapi will still have supplies to help. My lord, should you not make arrangements now?" he advised.

Lü Bu answered, "Yuanlong's words are right. We should move the wife and children too." He then ordered Song Xian and Wei Xu to protect his wife, children, and grain, and to move them to Xiapi. At the same time he headed out with Chen Deng to relieve Xiaoguan. Midway, Chen Deng said, "Please let me go first and ride ahead to Xiaoguan to scout Cao's forces."

Lü Bu agreed. Chen Deng arrived there first. Chen Gong and the others met him.

Chen Deng said, "The Grand Commander is suspicious at heart that you have not advanced and is coming to blame you." Chen Gong replied, "Cao's force is now enormous. We must not challenge it lightly. Let us hold the pass tightly. We should advise my lord to hold Pei firmly; that is the best plan." Chen Deng nodded in assent.

That night he watched from the gate and saw Cao's force pressing hard against the gate below. He then wrote three letters in succession by lamplight, tied each to an arrow, and shot them down at the pass.

The next day he took leave of Chen Gong and rode hard to meet Lü Bu.

"The men at the pass—Sun Guan and the others—are all ready to surrender it. I have left Chen Gong in charge there. My lord should strike by dusk and ride out to relieve it."

Lü Bu said, "Without you, this pass is lost." He ordered Chen Deng to ride on ahead and contact Chen Gong inside, using a beacon fire as the signal.

Chen Deng reached the pass and reported immediately: "Cao's army has slipped in behind the lines and reached the pass. Xuzhou may fall. You had better return quickly." Chen Gong then withdrew the troops from the pass and ran.

Chen Deng set fire to the gate. Lü Bu moved by stealth through the dark. In the darkness, Chen Gong's men and Lü Bu's men in the confusion shot at each other.

When Cao's men saw the beacon fire, they all rushed forward and struck hard. Sun Guan and the others scattered in all directions.

Lü Bu fought on until daybreak and only then learned it was a ruse. He hurried back to Chen Gong and Xuzhou. As they reached the city gate, arrows rained down in panic.

On the enemy tower Mi Zhu shouted, "You seized my lord's city; return it now to him. You shall not enter this city again!" Lü Bu shouted back in rage, "Where is Chen Gui?" Mi Zhu replied, "I have already killed him." Lü Bu turned and asked, "Where is Chen Deng?" Chen Gong said, "My lord still asks that traitor after he has misled you so?"

Lü Bu ordered a full search through the camp, but could not find Chen Deng. Chen Gong urged him to hurry toward Xiapi. Lü Bu obeyed. Midway they encountered a massed force: Gao Shun and Zhang Liao.

Lü Bu asked how they had come. They replied, "Chen Deng came with word that the lord is besieged and we rushed to help." Chen Gong said, "This is another trick by that treacherous man." Lü Bu snapped, "I will kill that villain!" and drove on toward Xiapi.

When they reached the city, banners on the walls were all Cao's. Cao Cao had already ordered Cao Ren to storm the city and station troops.

Under the walls, Lü Bu cursed at Chen Deng. From the city Chen Deng pointed and shouted, "I am an officer of Han; how could I serve you, a rebel treacherous son?" Lü Bu became furious.

He was about to attack when a cry rose from the rear and another force arrived. In front, Zhang Fei rode out to confront him. Gao Shun engaged and could not gain an advantage. Lü Bu took to personal combat. While they fought, cries rose again from beyond the line: Cao Cao himself had led the main force and charged in.

Lü Bu judged he could not hold and drove eastward. Cao Cao's men pursued.

Lü Bu soon was exhausted and his horse spent. Suddenly a large force appeared at once to block his road. Their frontman, mounted, unsheathed his sabre and shouted, "Lü Bu, do not run! Here is Guan Yunlong!".

Lü Bu rushed into melee, and Zhang Fei came on behind him. Lü Bu had no wish to prolong the fight; he cut his way through with Chen Gong and bolted toward Xiapi. Hou Cheng came out to assist.

When Guan Yu and Zhang Fei finally met, both wept and spoke of their separation. Guan Yu said, "I had been bivouacking along the route to Hai Province. I caught wind of the news and came straight here." Zhang Fei said, "My brother has been camping on Mangdang Mountain for some time now. I am glad we met today."

After speaking a while they came together with their troops to meet Liu Bei and knelt on the ground to bow in grief and joy.

Liu Bei's sorrow and happiness mingled together. He brought both men before Cao Cao, then went with him to Xuchang.

Mi Zhu received them and reported that Liu Bei's family had been unharmed. Liu Bei was deeply relieved. Chen Gui and his son came as well to pay court to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao held a grand banquet and rewarded the generals. He sat in the center, with Chen Gui on the left and Liu Bei on the right; the other officers were seated in order.

After the banquet, Cao Cao praised Chen Gui and his son, granted him ten thousand households in stipend, and promoted Chen Deng to the General Who Subdues the Waves.

When Cao Cao had gained Xuzhou, he rejoiced and discussed raising troops to attack Xiapi. Cheng Yu said, "Lü Bu now has only Xiapi. If we press him too tightly he will fight to the death and then throw himself with Yuan Shu. If he combines with Yuan Shu, he will be hard to break. Keep people who can hold the Huainan route; defend inside against Lü Bu and outside against Yuan Shu. And as long as Zang Ba and Sun Guan and their men in Shandong have not submitted, they too must be watched."

Cao Cao said, "I will take all the roads in Shandong. The Huainan route should be entrusted to you, Liu Bei." Liu Bei replied, "As the Chancellor commands, dare I disobey?"

The next day Liu Bei left Mi Zhu and Jian Yong in Xuzhou and took Sun Qian, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei with troops to guard the Huainan route. Cao Cao himself led the army against Xiapi.

Now in Xiapi, Lü Bu trusted himself because he had enough grain and relied on Sishui's dangers and thought himself secure in defense. Chen Gong said, "Now that Cao's army has only just arrived, this is the moment to strike while he is unsettled. We should attack him while he is tired; there is nothing he cannot lose."

Lü Bu replied, "I have suffered too many defeats to charge recklessly. Wait until he attacks, and then we will fight. He will all fall in Sishui." He did not take Chen Gong's advice.

After several days, the Cao troops made their camp stable. Cao Cao and the assembled host moved to the base of the wall and called aloud for Lü Bu to answer. Lü Bu climbed the wall and stood there.

Cao Cao said, "I hear that you are seeking a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu. I led this force for that reason. Yuan Shu is a rebel against the state, yet you, who once won merit in punishing Dong Zhuo, have now abandoned your former accomplishments and joined with a rebellious villain. If this city falls, your regret will come too late. If you come now to submit and help restore the Son of Heaven, you need not lose your chance for a marquisate."

Lü Bu said, "Chancellor, withdraw for now and allow me time to negotiate."

Chen Gong, standing beside him, loudly denounced Cao Cao as a villain. One of Lü Bu's arrows struck his banner shelter. Cao Cao pointed at him and swore, "I swear I will kill you!" Then he ordered the attack.

Chen Gong said to Lü Bu, "Cao Cao has come from far off and cannot remain long. My lord can send out horse and foot to camp outside, while I will keep most of our men in the city. If Cao attacks your troops, I will strike at his rear. If he attacks the city, you will send men to relieve him from behind. In less than ten days his provisions will run out, and one push will break him. This is a favorable posture."

Lü Bu agreed and returned to make his final military preparations. The winter was already at hand, and he told his attendants to carry warm cloaks.

Lü Bu's wife Yan heard and came out to ask, "My lord, where will you go?" He told her of Chen Gong's plan.

Yan said, "You would abandon the whole city, cast aside wife and children, and ride out with a small force alone. If something goes wrong, how can I still be your wife?"

Lü Bu delayed three days and did not emerge. Chen Gong entered and said, "Cao's troops now encircle the city from every side. If we do not act early, we will be trapped." Lü Bu answered, "I think it would be better to remain and hold than to ride far." Chen Gong said, "I recently heard that Cao's grain is already running low. Send out your picked troops to cut his supply route. That is an excellent plan."

Lü Bu considered this, then returned inside and told Yan again.

Yan wept and said, "If you ride out, can Chen Gong, Gao Shun, and so on hold the city? If even one small lapse occurs, regret will be too late. Once I was in Chang'an, you once discarded me. I survived only because Pang Shu hid me; only then did I meet you again. Who is to say you will not cast me off again? My lord has ten thousand li ahead. Do not hold me back for his sake." She wept.

Lü Bu was weighed down with sorrow and uncertainty. He then went to Diaochan. Diaochan said, "We are one household. Do not ride out in reckless haste."

Lü Bu answered, "Do not worry. I have the Chi Mian horse. Who dares come near me?" He then told Chen Gong, "Cao's grain has arrived and all this is deception. Cao is full of tricks; I dare not move yet."

Chen Gong sighed, "If this is so, there is no place where we shall have proper burial."

So Lü Bu did not ride out all that day, drinking with Yan and Diaochan to dispel his gloom. Adviser Xu Si and Wang Kai came with a plan:

"Yuan Shu has now risen in Huainan with increasing momentum. Since Your Lordship once promised marriage, you should ask again. If his troops arrive, they can attack from both inside and out, and Cao will be hard to break."

Lü Bu accepted and the very same day had letters written, sending Xu Si and Wang Kai ahead with them.

Xu Si said, "You still need a force to lead the way out." Lü Bu ordered Zhang Liao and Hao Meng to lead one thousand men out through the pass.

At the second watch that night, Zhang Liao rode ahead and Hao Meng followed, escorting Xu Si and Wang Kai out of the city. They slipped past Liu Bei's stockade; pursuing commanders failed to catch them before they passed the gate.

Hao Meng led five hundred men to follow Xu Si and Wang Kai. Zhang Liao returned with half of his men and when he reached the pass, Guan Yu blocked him.

Before they could close, Gao Shun rode out and came to give relief. He then re-entered the city.

Xu Si and Wang Kai reached Shouchun and presented themselves to Yuan Shu, presenting their petition. Yuan Shu said, "You once killed my envoy, and yet relied on our marriage arrangement for protection. Why come now asking this again?"

Xu Si said, "It was all due to Cao Cao's treacherous stratagem. Your Grace should understand." Yuan Shu replied, "Your lord did not offer his daughter while under pressure from Cao's troops; why now?"

Wang Kai said, "If my lord is not rescued, your fortune too will be in danger. If the mouth is lost, the teeth grow cold; that would be no blessing for Your Excellency."

Yuan Shu said, "Lü Bu is utterly unsteady and untrustworthy. Send the woman first, and then send troops." Xu Si and Wang Kai had no choice but to bow and return with Hao Meng.

Back near Liu Bei's stockade, they made arrangements. They were not to travel by daylight. At midnight Xu Si and Wang Kai would go first, while Hao Meng covered their retreat.

Late in the night they crossed first. As Hao Meng then moved, Zhang Fei rode out from camp and blocked the way.

Hao Meng and his horse met for a single exchange, and Zhang Fei captured him alive. His five hundred men and horses were cut down. Zhang Fei brought Hao Meng before Liu Bei and took him to Cao Cao. Hao Meng explained the request about sending a wife to secure help.

Cao Cao was furious and beheaded him at the military gate. He then ordered notices sent to all camps: remain alert, hold your posts; if any of Lü Bu or his men escape through a breach, they are to be punished by military law. The camps were all startled.

Liu Bei returned to camp and instructed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "The Huainan route is now a critical crossing. You both must keep careful watch and not violate Cao Gong's military order." Zhang Fei said, "I captured one bandit officer, and Cao Cao did not reward him richly. He only came to terrify us. Why is that?" Liu Bei said, "No. Cao Cao leads much force. Without orders, how could he command men? Do not disobey him."

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei answered and withdrew.

Now Xu Si and Wang Kai returned to Lü Bu and reported all: Yuan Shu wanted the marriage first before moving troops. Lü Bu asked, "How can this be done?"

Xu Si said, "Hao Meng has now been captured, so Cao surely knows our purpose and has prepared. Unless Your Lord personally escorts her, who can break through the encirclement?"

Lü Bu said, "Can we send today?" Xu Si replied, "Today is an inauspicious day for spirits. Do not go." "Tomorrow is auspicious; use the hour of the Dog and Pig."

Lü Bu ordered Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to take three thousand horse and men, and to ready one small cart. "I will escort her out two hundred li and then let both of you take over."

At the second watch of the next night, Lü Bu wrapped the woman in padded cotton, packed her in armor, and carried her on his back before mounting. He opened the gate and rode out first; Zhang Liao and Gao Shun followed.

They had almost reached before Liu Bei's stockade when a drum sounded. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei blocked the road and shouted, "Do not run!"

Lü Bu was in no mood to linger in battle. He cut a path and pushed forward. Liu Bei led a column in pursuit, and the two forces collided in close combat.

Lü Bu was brave, but he had a woman bound on his back and feared harming her, so he did not force through the hardest fighting. Behind him Xu Huang and Xu Chu arrived, and the whole ranks shouted, "Do not let him slip away!"

Seeing the enemy come too swiftly, Lü Bu withdrew into the city. Liu Bei pulled back his troops. Xu Huang and Xu Chu returned to their camps. Not one broke through.

Lü Bu entered the city again and only drank in bitterness.

When Cao Cao had besieged the city for two months without success, a report came: "The Inspector of Henei, Zhang Yang, has marched out to Dongshi to aid Lü Bu. One of Cao's officers, Yang Chou, killed him and wished to present his head to the Chancellor. Yet Zhang Yang's trusted attendant Sui Gu killed him and then turned to Qun City."

Cao Cao heard it and immediately dispatched Shi Huan to pursue and execute Sui Gu.

He gathered his commanders and said, "Although Zhang Yang has ruined himself, there remain concerns to the north with Yuan Shao and in the east with Biao and Xiu, and Xiapi has not fallen despite long siege. I may return to the capital and rest from this campaign for now. What do you say?" Xun You urged against delay.

"No," he said. "Lü Bu has been defeated too often; his edge has dulled. When the commander fails, an army loses heart. Chen Gong's plan is clever but slow. Lü Bu has already lost momentum and Chen Gong's own plan is not settled. If we strike now, we can seize him."

Guo Jia said, "I have one stratagem; Xiapi can be broken and won more surely than with twenty ten-thousand armies." Xun Yu asked, "Could it be the waters of Yi and Si?" Guo Jia laughed. "You see it exactly."

Cao Cao rejoiced and ordered the troops to open and control the waters of both rivers. Cao's soldiers took the high ground and watched as Xiapi was submerged. In the city only the east gate remained un-flooded; all other gates were under water. The alarm sounded through the camps and reached Lü Bu.

Lü Bu said, "I have the Chi Mian horse. For me, crossing water is like level ground. What need I fear?" So the whole day he drank and caroused with wife and concubines. Overindulgence in wine and flesh weakened his appearance. The next day, seeing himself in a mirror, he said, "I have harmed myself by wine and women. From this day on, I must restrain myself." He then ordered that anyone drinking in the city be executed.

At this time Hou Cheng had fifteen horses, but rear guardsmen stole them and wanted to offer them to Liu Bei. When Hou Cheng discovered this, he pursued, killed the men, and recovered the horses. The other commanders met and congratulated him. Hou Cheng brewed six or seven hu of wine and wanted to drink with all the commanders. Fearing Lü Bu's wrath, he first presented five bottles at Lü Bu's headquarters: "By General's tiger-like might, I recovered the stolen horses. The officers all gathered to rejoice and brewed this much wine. We dared not drink it. Please accept it as our small regard."

Lü Bu raged. "I banned drinking, and you brew wine to drink in celebration. Are you conspiring to rebel against me?" He ordered Hou Cheng brought out and beheaded.

Song Xian, Wei Xu and the other officers went in together to plead. Lü Bu said, "You broke my order, so death is right. But seeing you all, I'll strike one hundred lashes and then release you."

He had him flogged fifty lashes and then let him go. The commanders all despaired.

Song Xian and Wei Xu went to visit Hou Cheng at home. Hou Cheng cried, "Without you men, I am already dead." Song Xian said, "General Lü is attached only to wife and children and sees us as weeds." Wei Xu said, "We are ringed below the city walls. With water around the moat, we have no end to our lives." Song Xian said, "Lü Bu has no kindness or justice. Why should we remain and follow him?" Wei Xu said, "You are no man. Better to capture Lü Bu and present him to Cao Cao."

Hou Cheng said, "I was blamed for chasing the stolen horses, and what Lü Bu relies on is the Chi Mian horse. If you two truly can capture him and surrender him through the gate, I will first take that horse and go to Cao Cao."

The three made their arrangements. That night Hou Cheng slipped quietly into the stable at the back, stole the horse, and rode out to the east gate. Wei Xu opened the gate and feigned pursuit as Hou Cheng left.

Hou Cheng reached Cao Cao's encampment and offered the horse, explaining that Song Xian and Wei Xu would raise white banners as signals and were preparing to surrender.

Cao Cao heard and ordered dozens of placards shot into the city. They read:

The Grand General Cao has this day carried down a clear imperial command to campaign against Lü Bu. Whoever opposes the main army and the day the walls are broken, his entire household will be exterminated. From the highest generals to commoners, whoever can capture Lü Bu and bring him in, or bring his severed head, will be richly rewarded. This edict is to be proclaimed to all.

At daybreak the next morning, shouts shook the ground outside.

Lü Bu started up in alarm, lifted his spear, and moved to the gate. He inspected each gateway and was still furious, cursing that Song Xian had broken through and Hou Cheng escaped, and that his battle horse was lost and punishment now awaited him.

The Cao troops saw white banners on the wall and redoubled their attack. Lü Bu had to lead his defense himself.

From dawn until noon they fought. Cao's troops withdrew slightly. Lü Bu took a brief rest in the gatehouse and, without realizing it, fell asleep in a chair.

Song Xian drove the attendants away, first stole his halberd, then together with Wei Xu wrestled him down. They wound him tight with rope and bound him in a tight bundle.

Lü Bu awoke with a start, calling out to his attendants, but they were all already dead, having been killed by the two. Seeing the white flags raised, Cao's men rushed to the wall.

Wei Xu cried, "Lü Bu has been captured alive!" Xiahou Yuan still did not believe it.

Song Xian then tossed Lü Bu's halberd out and flung the gates wide. Cao's troops surged in. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao were at the west gate. Water blocked their escape, and Cao's men captured them. Chen Gong ran to the south gate and was seized by Xu Huang.

Cao Cao entered the city, ordered the water released, and published calming proclamations. At once he sat beside Liu Bei on White Gate Tower with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei at his side as the captured men were presented.

Though Lü Bu was large and imposing, he was bound tightly in rope into one bundle. Lü Bu said, "The binding is too tight. I beg to have it loosened." Cao Cao answered, "To bind a tiger one must be quick."

Lü Bu saw that Hou Cheng, Wei Xu, and Song Xian stood nearby and said, "I was not unkind to the officers. How could you betray me then?" Song Xian said, "You would not heed wife and concubines or counsel from your advisers. How is that not neglect?"

Lü Bu was silent. In due time they brought Gao Shun in. Cao Cao asked, "Do you have any words?" Gao Shun did not answer. Cao Cao ordered him executed.

Xu Huang then brought in Chen Gong. Cao Cao asked, "Are you in good health, Master Gongtai?" Chen Gong answered, "Your heart is not upright. I left you for that reason." Cao Cao said, "My heart is not upright. Why did you alone stand by Lü Bu?" Chen Gong replied, "Lü Bu has no planning; he is not like your crooked villainy." Cao Cao said, "You claimed yourself full of wisdom. How has it proven itself now?"

Chen Gong looked at Lü Bu and said, "I hate that this man would not follow my words. If he had, he might not have been captured." Cao Cao asked, "What is to be done now?" Chen Gong raised his voice: "For today, there is only death."

Cao Cao asked, "If so, what of your aged mother and your wife and children?" Chen Gong answered, "I have learned that one who governs with filiality does not harm others' kin, and one who rules with benevolence does not sever ancestral rites. The fate of my mother and wife and children now rests with Your Excellency. Since I am already captured, ask only for my execution."

Cao Cao's heart still wavered. Chen Gong strode down the steps at once, but his attendants could not hold him back. Cao Cao rose and with tears accompanied him. Chen Gong did not look back.

Cao Cao told his attendants, "Take Master Gongtai's mother and wife back to Xuchang so they can live out old age. If you are lax, you die." Chen Gong heard it and spoke no more. He stretched his neck out to death.

The men around wept.

Cao Cao placed Chen Gong's body in a coffin and buried it at Xuchang. Later people composed a verse:

Life and death have no divided aims; how grand was this man! He refused to follow gold and stone, and in the end failed his beams and rafters. Truly worthy to assist the ruler, yet truly sorrowful in the matter of kinship. On the day Master Gongtai died at the White Gate, who could rival him?

As Cao escorted Chen Gong down the steps, Lü Bu said to Liu Bei, "You are the honored guest above, while I am the prisoner below. Why do you not speak one word and show me mercy?" Liu Bei nodded. When Cao returned to the upper floor, Lü Bu called out: "Your trouble is only Lü Bu. Now that he has submitted, the Great General is your master and Lü Bu your deputy. The world need not be difficult to settle."

Cao Cao asked Liu Bei, "What do you say?" Liu Bei answered, "Have you not seen what happened with Ding Jianyang and Dong Zhuo?" Lü Bu stared at Liu Bei and said, "You are the least dependable of all sons!"

Cao Cao ordered him hauled down and hanged.

Lü Bu turned to Liu Bei and cried, "Great-eared man! Do you not remember the spear thrust at Yuan Gate?"

There was another verse on Liu Bei:

To bind a starved tiger as prisoner and hold back is sheer slowness; Blood from Dong Zhuo and Ding Yuan had not yet dried. Now that Liu Bei already knows how to devour his father, why did he spare Cao and conceal it?

Suddenly a man shouted, "Lü Bu was a mere man to kill. If death is his fate, let him die. Why fear it?" The soldiers' eyes turned and saw the execution squad bringing in Zhang Liao.

Cao Cao pointed at Zhang Liao. "This man's face is fine." Zhang Liao said, "I met you in Puyang city. How could I forget?" Cao Cao said with a smile, "You still remember." Zhang Liao said, "It is a pity only." Cao Cao asked, "Why is that?" Zhang Liao said, "Only that on that day the flames were not fierce, else you could have burned this traitor of the state."

Cao Cao became angry and said, "How can a defeated general dare insult me?" He drew his sword in his own hand and came forward to kill Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao showed no fear and held out his neck to receive the stroke.

Cao Cao had an arm grabbed from behind and another man step before him. The man said, "Chancellor, do not strike yet!"

Then another verse was sung:

Beg for pity for Lü Bu and not a single man came to aid him. Yet he blamed and cursed, and Zhang Liao still survived. Who in the end will save Zhang Liao?
How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.