Later, Cao Cao, whose courtesy name was Mengde, saw the secret belt order and conferred with his ministers, wanting to depose Emperor Xian and enthrone another man of virtue. Cheng Yu, whose courtesy name was Zhongde, advised him, “My lord, your ability to strike fear across the four quarters and command all under heaven came from acting in the Han’s name. The lords are not yet pacified; if he now attempts to depose and enthrone in haste, troops will surely rise.” Cao Cao stopped.

He ordered Dong Cheng and four others, together with all their older and younger family members, sent on chains to the city gates and beheaded there. More than seven hundred perished. No officials or commoners in the city who saw it did not weep.

Later people wrote this verse in mourning for Dong Cheng:

A hidden edict was carried in the ribbon of a sash; heaven’s decree went out through the gate of the inner palace. He once saved the imperial carriage, and now on this day he again receives grace. To worry for the state became a sickness in his heart, purging treachery entered even his dreams and his soul. Faithful rectitude remains for all ages; who can now judge success or failure?

Another verse was written for Wang Zifu and the others:

On narrow paper and white silk we wrote an oath of loyal counsel, fierce at heart, we longed to repay our lord as one repays a father. A red-hearted man may be pitied when he offers a hundred lives, yet a cinnabar heart alone endures for a thousand autumns.

Now that Dong Cheng and the others had been killed, Cao Cao’s fury had not yet faded. He drew his sword and entered the palace to execute Lady Dong, who was Dong Cheng’s sister. The emperor had favored her and she was already five months pregnant. That day, Your Majesty was in the inner court, privately discussing the matter of Dong Cheng with Empress Fu. No report had yet reached them.

Suddenly Cao Cao arrived with a drawn sword and a face full of rage, and Your Majesty started in alarm and turned pale. Cao Cao asked, “Do You know that Dong Cheng plotted rebellion, Your Majesty?”

Emperor Xian replied, “Dong Zhuo was already executed.”

Cao Cao said loudly, “Not Dong Zhuo—Dong Cheng.”

The emperor trembled: “I truly did not know.”

Cao Cao said, “Do You forget the edict you had corrected by breaking your own finger?”

The emperor could not answer. Cao Cao shouted for the guards, who seized Lady Dong and brought her forward.

Your Majesty begged, “Lady Dong is five months pregnant. I beg Your Chancellor to show mercy.”

Cao Cao replied, “Had it not been for Heaven’s betrayal, I would already have been killed. How can I still keep this woman, to become a future danger to me?”

Empress Fu then said, “Demote her to the cold palace; after she gives birth, to kill her is not yet too late.”

Cao Cao snapped, “Would you keep this treacherous seed so her mother may take revenge?”

Lady Dong, crying, begged, “Let me die with my body whole, and do not expose what is inside me.”

Cao Cao ordered white rope brought before him. The emperor wept and said to her, “Under Nine Springs, do not blame me.” He had no more words, and tears fell like rain. Empress Fu also wept loudly.

Cao Cao shouted, “Still making a child’s show of grief?” He ordered the guards to drag her out and had her beheaded outside the palace gate.

Later people wrote of Lady Dong:

Even in the spring hall she had been honored, yet all was in vain; alas, the dragon seed was cast down and the time to mourn came together. Though an emperor’s lord and ruler, he could not save himself, and only covered his face while tears rose in sudden springs.

Cao Cao instructed the prison and palace officers: “Hereafter, if any in-law clan of the inner court enters the palace gate without my orders, execute them on the spot. If the guards fail in defense, they share the same guilt.”

He also assigned three thousand trusted men to the Imperial Guard under Cao Hong’s command for watch and protection.

Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu, “Though Dong Cheng has been executed, there are still Ma Teng and Liu Bei in these parts. They cannot be left alive.”

Cheng Yu replied, “Ma Teng is camped in Xiliang; he cannot be taken lightly. But send letters to soothe and honor him and never stir suspicion, then lure him to the capital to deal with him. Liu Bei is now in Xu Province, scattered in awkward, bent-formation posture; he too should not be underestimated. Besides, Yuan Shao keeps troops at Guandu and often has designs on Xuchang. If I one day go east against Liu Bei, Liu Bei will surely seek Yuan Shao’s aid. Yuan Shao, taking advantage of the opening, could strike. How would we answer that?”

Cao Cao said, “No. Liu Bei is a man of talent. If we do not strike now, when his wings have formed, matters will quickly become difficult. Yuan Shao may be powerful, but his plans are full of doubt and indecision. Why should we fear him?”

While they were in council, Guo Jia entered from outside. Cao Cao asked, “I want to campaign east against Liu Bei, yet I still worry about Yuan Shao. What should I do?”

Guo Jia, whose courtesy name was Fengxiao, replied, “Yuan Shao is slow and suspicious, and his advisors compete out of envy. There is no need to fear him. Liu Bei has only just reassembled his soldiers, and their loyalty is not yet settled. If the Chancellor leads troops east, one battle will settle him.”

Cao Cao was overjoyed. “That is exactly what I had in mind.” He therefore raised two hundred thousand troops and divided them into five columns toward Xu Province.

Spies later reported the movement to Xu Province. Sun Qian first rode to Xiapi and informed Guan Yu, whose courtesy name was Yunchang, then went on to Xiaopei to tell Liu Bei, whose courtesy name was Xuande.

Liu Bei and Sun Qian discussed: “We must surely seek help from Yuan Shao; only so can we end this danger.” So Liu Bei drafted one letter and sent Sun Qian to Hebei.

Sun Qian first visited Tian Feng and explained everything, asking him to plead on their behalf. Tian Feng then took Sun Qian to meet Yuan Shao and presented the letter. Yuan Shao looked withered and disheveled in dress and cap.

Tian Feng asked, “Why is Your Excellency so stricken today?”

Yuan Shao said, “I am as good as dead.”

Tian Feng said, “Why would Your Excellency say that?”

Yuan Shao answered, “I have five sons, and of them only the youngest is most distressing to my thoughts. I am now afflicted with scabies; my life is nearly gone. What other affairs could I still consider?”

Tian Feng said, “Now Cao Cao is marching east against Liu Bei. Xuchang is left open. If we enter with righteous troops at this moment, we can protect the Son of Heaven above and save myriads of people below. This is an opportunity not easily obtained. You alone must judge it.”

Yuan Shao said, “I know this would be best. Yet my mind wavers; I fear something may go badly for me.”

Tian Feng asked, “What is this uncertainty?”

Yuan Shao said, “Of my five sons, only this child’s illness in the cradle is enough to unsettle me.”

He then refused to dispatch troops. “I shall not leave,” he said, and turned to Sun Qian. “Return and tell Liu Bei the reason. If things go ill, he may come to me for alliance; I will surely have means to aid him.”

Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and cried, “At a time when such a chance has appeared, to waste it over a sick infant is to let a great affair slip away. How regrettable!” He stamped his foot and sighed deeply as he left.

When Sun Qian saw Yuan Shao refused to send help, he had to return by night to Xiaopei to report to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was greatly alarmed. “What can we do now?”

Zhang Fei, whose courtesy name was Yide, said, “Elder brother, do not grieve. Cao Cao’s army has come from far off and will surely be exhausted and short of supply. If we strike its vanguard at first arrival and sack its camp, we can break Cao Cao.”

Liu Bei said, “I have always thought of you merely as a brave fighter, but when you once captured Liu Dai you used plans as well. That proposal now is also apt strategy.” He followed Zhang Fei’s advice and divided forces to raid the camp.

Now Cao Cao was leading his army toward Xiaopei. As they marched, a sudden gale came up, and just then there was a loud sound: a tusked banner was snapped. Cao Cao ordered the troops to halt at once and gathered his counselors to read the omen.

Xun Yu asked, “From which direction does this wind come, and what color was the banner it snapped?”

Cao Cao answered, “From the southeast. It snapped the one flag hanging at the point, a blue-and-red banner.”

Xun Yu said, “Do not attend other matters. This night Liu Bei will surely raid the camp.” Cao Cao nodded.

Then Mao Jie came in and said, “The southeast wind just rose and bent the same blue-and-red tusked banner. What do Your Lordship think this bodes?”

Cao Cao asked, “What is your meaning?”

Mao Jie said, “I only dare to say this: this night someone is certain to raid the camp.”

Alas, when the son of heaven stood alone and desolate, he relied fully on splitting his forces and raiding camp. Yet how can we endure this omen of the snapped banner? Why did Heaven let this crooked hero run wild?

Cao Cao said, “Heaven confirms my concerns. We will prepare at once.” He divided his troops into nine sections, leaving one section forward to make a sham encampment while the other eight lay hidden in ambush on every side.

That night the moon was faintly bright. Liu Bei was on the left, Zhang Fei on the right; they sent out two columns, leaving Sun Qian to hold Xiaopei.

Zhang Fei thought himself to have gained a good stratagem and led light horse in front, breaking into Cao Cao’s camp. He saw only scattered men and horses. From four sides firelight surged up and shouts rose in unison. Realizing he had been tricked, he hurried out of 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. Their mounted troops came charging from eight directions.

Zhang Fei charged and countercharged, covering front and rear at once. The troops he had brought were old soldiers of Cao Cao’s own men. Seeing the sudden danger, they all surrendered.

Just as Zhang Fei was still killing, Xu Huang smashed in with a great charge, and Yue Jin came up behind. Zhang Fei cut a bloody lane and burst through. Only a few dozen riders could keep up with him.

He thought of returning to Xiaopei, but the road was blocked. If he rushed to Xu Province and Xiapi, he feared Cao’s army would intercept him. Finding no way, he headed toward Mangdang Mountain.

Now Liu Bei led his troops in raiding the camp. As he neared the gate, his shouted battle cries thundered, and a force burst from behind, first cutting off half his men. Xiahou Dun was there again. Liu Bei broke through and escaped; Xiahou Yuan chased him from the rear.

Liu Bei looked back and saw only some thirty riders still with him. He wanted desperately to run back to Xiaopei, but there he saw flames rising from Xiaopei city. He had to abandon it and aim for Xu Province and Xiapi, but saw Cao troops flooding through ridges and hills, blocking every road.

Liu Bei thought there was no place to return. “Yuan Shao had said, ‘If things do not go as you wish, you may come to me for alliance.’ Rather than push straight onward, I should perhaps go to him for the moment and make another plan.” He headed toward the road to Qing Province, where at once Li Dian blocked him. Liu Bei fled northward in disorder on horseback. Li Dian captured him with pursuing riders.

Liu Bei reached Qing Province on a single horse, covering three hundred li in a day, and rushed beneath the city gate. After giving his name, Liu Bei sent word to the Inspector. The inspector was Yuan Tan, Yuan Shao’s eldest son. He had long respected Liu Bei and, when he heard that he had come in alone, immediately opened the gate to receive him, brought him into the public office, and inquired about his situation.

Liu Bei fully explained that he had been routed and sought alliance and refuge.

Yuan Tan lodged him at the relay station in the guest hall, sent a dispatch to Yuan Shao, and ordered local troops to escort him. At the edge of Pingyuan Commandery, Yuan Shao himself led people out from thirty li beyond Ye County to meet him.

Liu Bei knelt in thanks. Yuan Shao hurriedly replied with courtesies, “Yesterday I was taken ill and so failed to send aid. My heart has long held this resentment. I am now greatly relieved to meet You at last, for this is a long-desired sight.”

Liu Bei said, “I am Liu Bei, poor and destitute, long wishing to come under your protection. Yet chance never met us until now. Cao Cao attacks, and my wife and children are all in peril. You, who receive scholars and soldiers from all over the realm, I did not shrink from this shame to come directly to you for alliance. I beg that You receive me and I will swear to repay in full.”

Yuan Shao was delighted and treated him with great warmth. They stayed together in Ji Province.

Now Cao Cao took Xiaopei that very night and then advanced straight on Xu Province. Mi Zhu and Jian Yong could not hold the city gates and had to abandon the city and flee. Chen Deng submitted Xu Province. When Cao Cao’s main army entered the city and had pacified the people, he summoned his counselors to plan the seizure of Xiapi.

Xun Yu said, “Yun Chang is guarding Liu Bei’s wife and children and is holding this city to the death. If we do not take it quickly, he may be seized by Yuan Shao.”

Cao Cao said, “I have long admired Yun Chang’s military skill and talent, and I would like to bring him to my service. Better to send someone to persuade him and compel him to surrender.”

Guo Jia said, “Yun Chang’s loyalty is deep and righteous; he surely will not surrender. If we send someone to persuade him, they may be killed.”

A man from the tents stepped out and said, “I have at least some former acquaintance with Guan Yu and wish to go and speak with him.”

The men saw that it was Zhang Liao.

Cheng Yu said, “Though Wenyuan has old ties with Yun Chang, I judge this man can’t be won by words. I have a stratagem: make this man’s way of advance and retreat none at all; then have Wenyuan speak to him. He will then surely return to the Chancellor.”

Just so:

The bow is tuned and laid to send an arrow at the fierce tiger, fragrant bait to fish an ao fish. I do not yet know how this plan is to work. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.