Then it is said that Cao Pi saw two women weeping. He drew his sword and meant to behead one. Suddenly a red glare filled his sight. He lowered the sword and asked, “Who are you?”

One woman said, “I am Lady Liu, wife of General Yuan.” Cao Pi asked, “And this one?”

Lady Liu said, “This is Lady Zhen, wife of Yuan Xi. When Xi was posted to garrison Youzhou, Lady Zhen refused to travel far and stayed behind.”

Cao Pi pulled this woman forward and saw her hair loose and face soiled. He wiped her face with his sleeve and looked closely. Lady Zhen’s skin had the smoothness of jade and a beauty of flowers, with a charm enough to overturn a state. He then told Liu, “I am the son of Chancellor Cao. I will keep your household safe. Do not worry.” He then set his sword down and sat in the hall.

Later, Cao Cao led the commanders into Jizhou and came to the city gate to enter it. Xu You urged his horse forward and with his whip pointed at the gate, cried out, “Aman, you cannot bar me; how can you enter this gate?”

Cao Cao laughed loudly. The commanders all heard and were inwardly upset. Cao Cao came beneath the gate of the Shao manor and asked, “Who has entered this gate?”

The gate commander replied, “The Heir Apparent is inside.” Cao Cao called him out and questioned him. Liu Shi knelt and spoke: “My lord the Heir Apparent is not here. I am able to protect the household only because of him. I offer Lady Zhen, to serve as household attendant to the Heir Apparent.”

Cao Cao ordered Lady Zhen brought out and presented.

When he saw her, he said, “She is truly a wife fit for our son.” Cao Cao then ordered Cao Pi to take her.

Cao Cao had by then secured Jizhou. He went personally to Yuan Shao’s tomb and offered sacrifice, bowing twice and weeping bitterly. Then he said to the commanders, “Long ago, when I and Bencu raised troops together, Bencu asked me: ‘If matters do not go well, what place can we hold?’ I asked him, ‘What is it that you wish to do?’ Bencu said, ‘I hold the south of the Yellow River, block Yan and Dai in the north, and unite the frontier tribes; with that, we can face south and contend for all under heaven. Could this be enough?’ I answered, ‘I command all intelligence in the realm and govern by the Way; there is nothing impossible.’ That is as clear as yesterday, and now Bencu is dead. I cannot help but weep.”

All of them sighed. Cao Cao gave Liu Shi of General Yuan’s wife gold, silk, grain, and rice. He then issued an order: “The people of Hebei have suffered through war. Remit this year’s taxes and grain levies entirely.” At the same time he drafted a memorial to court. Cao Cao took the post of Administrator of Jizhou.

One day, Xu Chu rode hard through the east gate and met Xu You. Xu You called out to Xu Chu, “Without me, how can you pass this gate?” Xu Chu was furious. “We have braved bloodshed a thousand times, risking our lives, stormed city walls and seized towns. How dare you boast?”

Xu You cursed, “You are all mere ordinary men. Why speak so much?”

Xu Chu in anger drew his sword and killed Xu You, then brought the head to Cao Cao and said, “Xu You was this rude. I have killed him.”

Cao Cao said, “You and I are old companions. It was only horseplay between us. Why did you kill him?” He sternly reprimanded Xu Chu, and ordered Xu You buried with honors.

Then he ordered men across Jizhou to search out worthy scholars. A local said: “Cui Yan, Master of the Cavalry Guards in office, courtesy name Jiqi, from Dongwu in Qinghe Commandery. He has offered plans to Yuan Shao several times; Yuan Shao did not adopt them, so Cui Yan feigned illness and stayed at home.”

Cao Cao immediately summoned Yan as his provincial deputy-attendant. Then he said, “I checked the household registers yesterday. This state has roughly three hundred thousand people; it may be called a great province.”

Yan replied, “Now the realm is divided and broken. The nine provinces are torn asunder. The two Yuan brothers contend; the people of Jizhou lie with bones scattered in the plains. If the Chancellor cares first for his own power and does not inquire after their ways and rescue them from this furnace and cauldron, what use is this first counting their households to the people here?”

Cao Cao, hearing this, changed his expression and apologized and treated him as an honored guest.

After stabilizing Jizhou, Cao Cao asked after Yuan Tan’s movements. Tan had taken troops to pillage Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian. On hearing that Yuan Shang had been defeated and fled to Zhongshan, he rallied and marched to attack Jizhou. Shang had no heart for battle; he rode straight away to Youzhou and surrendered to Yuan Xi. Tan absorbed all his men and wanted to cast another eye toward Jizhou. Cao Cao summoned him, but Tan did not come. Cao Cao was furious and, breaking the marriage tie, himself led the main army and marched straight to Pingyuan.

When Tan heard Cao Cao personally commanded a grand expedition, he sent to Liu Biao for aid. Liu Biao asked Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, to confer.

Liu Bei said, “Cao Cao has now taken Jizhou. His force is at full strength. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang will not long avoid capture by him. To rescue them is fruitless. Besides, Cao Cao still has his eye on Jing and Xiang. I should only keep my troops and hold the ground, not move rashly.”

Liu Biao said, “Then what should I do for him?”

Liu Bei said, “Send letters to both Yuan brothers in the name of reconciliation, and politely offer thanks.”

Liu Biao agreed and first sent a letter to Tan. It read:

A gentleman must avoid disaster and avoid striking an enemy state. I hear you have knelt and yielded to Cao this morning. Then you have forgotten your forefathers, cast aside the bond of brothers, and let the shame of your alliance go uncovered.

If Jizhou cannot be held, lower your heart and join us in sincerity. Once affairs are settled and the world restored to order, will that not be righteousness of high order?

Liu Biao also wrote to Yuan Shang:

Qing Province is severe and hasty by nature and often lost in right and wrong. You should first remove Cao Cao, and for your soldiers to settle the grudge against the late Lord. Once affairs are in order, you can then reckon what is right and wrong. Is that not best?

If you remain lost and do not return, then Hanlu and Dongguo will dig themselves into a trap and leave Tianfu’s gain behind.

Tan received Liu Biao’s letters. Knowing Liu Biao had no intention to send troops and judging he could not match Cao, he abandoned Pingyuan and withdrew to defend Nanpi. Cao Cao pursued to Nanpi. The weather was cold and raw; every river was frozen, and grain-ships could not move. Cao Cao ordered the local people to chip the ice and drag the ships along. Upon hearing the order they fled. Cao Cao was furious and wanted to execute them, but when they heard, they came personally to the camp and offered their heads.

He said, “If I do not kill you, my orders will be worthless; if I kill you, I cannot bear it. Run quickly to the hills and hide. Do not fall into capture by my soldiers.”

The people all wept and left.

Tan brought his troops out of the city and opposed Cao Cao’s army. The two camps faced each other. Cao Cao mounted and pointed with his whip at Tan while cursing, “I treated you lavishly. Why do you harbor treachery?”

Tan replied, “You invaded my borders, took my cities, and then rely on my wife and son to argue that I have foreign intent?”

Cao Cao became enraged and sent Xu Huang forward. Tan sent Peng An to meet him. The two horses met and after only a few exchanges, Xu Huang cut Peng An down from the saddle. Tan’s army broke and ran back into Nanpi. Cao Cao sent troops to encircle from all sides.

Tan, panicked, sent Xin Ping to negotiate surrender with Cao Cao.

Cao Cao said, “Tan is a fickle youth and unsteady; I can trust him no more.”

“You are wrong, Chancellor. I have long served in the Yuan house; what I heard long ago was that when a lord is honored, his ministers are praised, and when a lord is in distress, his ministers are humiliated. Could I turn on my lord?” Xin Ping replied.

Cao Cao knew he could not be retained and sent him back. Xin Ping returned to Tan and said Cao Cao would not accept him. Tan shouted, “You have seen how I deal with Cao Cao and your mind is split in two.” Xin Ping heard, filled with resentment, and fell unconscious. After being carried out, he soon died. Tan regretted it deeply.

Guo Tu said to Tan, “Tomorrow, drive out all the townspeople first and then, with the army behind, decide one battle to the death with Cao Cao.”

Tan followed his advice. That night he drove all the people of Nanpi out in formation, each carrying knife and spear at command. At first light he opened all four gates. The army followed, the people in front. Shouting as one, they surged out and met Cao’s camp.

The two armies collided in close melee from morning to noon, victory and defeat still uncertain. Seeing he had not won outright, Cao Cao mounted a horse and climbed the slope, striking the war drum himself. The officers saw and surged forward. Tan’s forces were thoroughly broken; countless civilians were killed.

Cao Hong pressed hard, broke through the formation, and when Tan came straight at him, he swung his blade wildly. Tan was cut down in the melee. Guo Tu saw the formation in chaos and dashed into the city in haste. Le Jin saw him and loosed an arrow down into the city trench; horse and rider both sank.

Cao Cao led his troops into Nanpi and pacified the people. Then a detachment of troops arrived, led by Yuan Xi’s generals Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan. Cao Cao personally greeted them as they came. The two surrendered at once, casting down spears and armor. He made them lords of marquis rank.

Also Zhang Yan, the Black Mountain bandit, came with one hundred thousand men to surrender. Cao Cao made him General Who Pacifies the North.

He then ordered that whoever dared to cry over Yuan Tan’s head was to be beheaded, and he hung the severed head outside the northern gate. A man in a coarse cap and torn robe came and wept beneath it. They seized him and brought him before Cao Cao. He was Wang Xiu, the Deputy Provincial Governor of Qingzhou, who had once advised Tan and now came to mourn after hearing of Tan’s death.

Cao Cao asked, “Do you know my order?”

Wang Xiu said, “I do.”

“Are you not afraid to die?” Cao Cao asked.

Wang Xiu said, “I have long lived by receiving orders. If I live and do not cry, it is not righteousness. If I fear death and forget righteousness, how can I stand in this world? If I can bring in Tan’s body for burial, I can bear death without resentment.”

Cao Cao said, “Such many men of principle in Hebei—what a lot of them there are. If only the Yuan house had used you, would I dare to look this way with an unblinking gaze?” He ordered Tan’s body to be recovered and buried with honors. He treated Wang Xiu as an honored guest and appointed him Colonel of the Gold-in-Charge Office.

Then he asked, “Now that Yuan Shang has already fled to Yuan Xi, what strategy should we use to take them?”

Wang Xiu did not answer. Cao Cao said, “A loyal minister.” Guo Jia said, “You can use Yuan’s surrendered commanders Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan to attack them themselves.”

Cao Cao accepted the counsel. He ordered Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, Lü Kuang, Lü Xiang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Yi, each with his own troops, to advance on Youzhou from three directions. At the same time he sent Li Dian and Le Jin to join Zhang Yan, strike Bingzhou, and attack Gao Gan.

Now Tan and Shang, hearing Cao’s troops would come, thought it hard to meet battle, so they abandoned the city and by night fled west to Liaoxi and then to the Wuhuan.

The Youzhou governor, Wuhuan Chu, assembled the leading officials, swore blood oaths, and held counsel over turning from the Yans to Cao. Wuhuan Chu spoke first: “I know Cao Chancellor is the hero of our age. Should anyone here fail to obey his summons when he comes in submission, he should be executed.” He passed the oath cup around until it came to Deputy Provincial Governor Han Heng.

Han Heng threw his sword to the ground and shouted, “I have received deep favor from Yuan and Father. Now my lord has fallen, my wisdom could not save him, my courage could not die in service. I have failed in rightness! If I bow north and submit to Cao, I will not.”

All were taken aback. Wuhuan Chu said, “To accomplish great matters one must stand on great righteousness. The success or failure of affairs does not rest on one man. Since Han Heng has resolved so, let him do as he pleases.” He pushed him out.

Wuhuan Chu then rode out of the city to meet the three columns and rode directly to Cao to surrender. Cao Cao was pleased and made him General Who Guards the North.

Soon a messenger came: “Le Jin, Li Dian, and Zhang Yan have attacked Bingzhou. Gan Gan holds Hupass and will not descend.”

Cao Cao drew up his forces and advanced. The three commanders arrived and reported, “Gao Gan blocks the pass and is hard to beat.” The officers met and debated breaking Gao Gan. Xun You said, “To break Gan, a stratagem of feigned surrender is required.”

Cao Cao accepted. He summoned surrendering commanders Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and spoke in whispers. They led several tens of troops straight down to the pass and cried, “We were once commanders under the Yans. We had no choice but submit to Cao. Cao Cao is crafty and has treated us lightly. We return now to our old lord. Open the gate and receive us at once.”

Gao Gan did not believe them. He only sent the two commanders up to the pass to speak. The two shed armor, left their horses, and entered, telling Gan, “Cao’s troops are newly arrived and their hearts are unsteady. Come tonight, seize the camp. We are willing to lead first.”

Gan gladly accepted and ordered Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang to lead a force of more than ten thousand in first rank. As they reached Cao’s camp, shouts rose behind them and ambushes leapt up. Gan realized he had been trapped and hurried back to Huoguan City. By then Le Jin and Li Dian had already taken the pass.

Gan snatched a route of escape and fled to the Shanyu. Cao Cao ordered his men to hold the pass mouth and sent detachments to pursue Gan. Gan reached the Shanyu border and met the Left King Xianxian of the northern tribes. He dismounted and fell to the ground in homage, saying, “Cao Cao has absorbed the lands and now seeks to invade Your Majesty’s territory. I beg aid in all of your strength to join in recovering it and securing the north.”

The king said, “I have no enmity with Cao Cao. Why would you make me enemy to the Cao house?” He dismissed Gan angrily.

Gan found no road left and had to go submit to Liu Biao. He had gone as far as Shanglu when he was killed by Major Wang Yan, who took his head and sent it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao made Wang Yan a marquis of the columns.

With Bingzhou settled, Cao Cao discussed a western campaign against the Wuhuan. Cao Hong and others said, “Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have been beaten and nearly ruined. They are on the edge, driving toward the desert. If we go west now, Liu Bei and Liu Biao may strike Xuchang while we are away. We may not return in time; the harm will be deep.”

Guo Jia said, “What you have said is wrong. Though the Chancellor’s fame shakes all under heaven, the desert tribes, far from the capital and trusting their remoteness, are not prepared. If we strike them suddenly while they are unready, we can break them. Besides, Yuan Shao had bonds with the Wuhuan, and Shang and Xi still remain. They must be removed. Liu Biao is but an entertainer of talking guests; he knows his ability is not enough to confront Liu Bei, so if he has him with heavy trust he cannot contain him; if he has him lightly, Bei will become useless. No matter: fear not a distant campaign.”

Cao Cao said, “Fengxiao speaks well.”

So he led ten thousand and many more, with three thousand carts, advancing forward. At once the land was only drifts of yellow sand, wild winds rose in every direction, and the roads were rough; men and horses struggled to travel. He wondered about turning back and asked Guo Jia. Jia, at this time ill from the land and unable to stand, lay sick in the cart.

Cao Cao said with tears, “Because I wished to pacify the desert and drove you over hardships until you took ill, how can my heart be at peace?”

Jia said, “I have received the Chancellor’s great grace. Even death cannot repay it.”

Cao asked, “I saw the roughness of the northlands and thought of turning back. What should be done?”

Jia answered, “In war, speed is prized. This long ride of a thousand li against scattered enemies, with many baggage wagons, cannot move swiftly for profit. Better to send a light force on multiple routes and break out. We only need a guide who knows the paths.”

Cao left Jia in Yizhou to recover and sought local guides. Someone recommended Tian Chou, an old commander under Yuan Shao who knew these lands well, and Cao Cao asked him.

Tian Chou said, “In summer and autumn there is water in this route, too shallow for horse and carriage; in depth one can carry no boats. It is hardest for movement. Better to turn back, cross from Lulong mouth past Baitan Pass through empty lands, come near Liucheng, and strike where they are least prepared. A man of the Xiongnu, Modu, could be won in one battle.”

Cao Cao followed this counsel, made Tian Chou General Who Pacifies the Northern Border, appointed him local guide and vanguard. Zhang Liao was second. Cao Cao stayed in rear and drove light cavalry by separate roads.

Tian Chou led Zhang Liao on ahead to BaLang Mountain and just met Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, who had joined with Modu and several ten thousand horsemen. Zhang Liao raced back to report. Cao Cao reined and gained elevation to watch; he saw Modu’s troops without formation and badly arranged. He told Zhang Liao, “When the enemy is disorderly, he may be struck.”

He handed a signal and Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao then sent Xu Chu, Yu Jin, and Xu Huang in four directions down the mountain and attacked with all force. Modu’s force collapsed in disorder. Zhang Liao cut down Modu from horseback and the rest all surrendered. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang withdrew with several thousand riders and fled toward Liaodong.

Cao Cao withdrew his army into Liucheng and made Tian Chou Lord of Liuting to guard Liucheng. Tian Chou wept and said, “I am one who fled in guilt. Your great grace let me live. To be so fortunate and then the fort at Lulong for reward and stipend—this I cannot do. I dare not accept marquis rank in death.”

Cao Cao valued his feeling and made him a Yilang. He comforted the Shanyu people, and obtained ten thousand fine horses. The same day he ordered the army home.

Now the weather was cold and dry. Two hundred li held no water. The army lacked grain and had to eat its horses. Men had to dig three to four zhang for water. Cao Cao returned to Yizhou and rewarded those who had first advised him. He told the commanders, “I only this time undertook a perilous distant campaign; by chance and luck I succeeded. Though there was victory, Heaven favored it. It cannot be a model for the future. What saved us was your counsel. I therefore reward it. In future, do not hold back in speaking.”

When Cao Cao reached Yizhou, Guo Jia had been dead several days; his coffin had been resting in the public hall. Cao Cao went to offer sacrifice and wept: “With Fengxiao dead, Heaven has robbed me.” He looked back at the gathered officers and said, “You all are older than I am; Fengxiao was the youngest. I wished to entrust him later matters, and now he has met an untimely death. My heart and intestines are torn apart.”

Jia’s attendants presented a sealed paper written in his final hand:

Guo Gong, before death, wrote this with his own brush and entrusted it: “If the Chancellor follows what is written herein, matters in Liaodong will be settled.”

Cao Cao opened the letter and nodded with sighing wonder. None of the others knew what it meant.

The next day, Xiahou Dun brought the assembly and said, “The Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Kang, has long refused to submit. Now Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have fled to him. He will become trouble after trouble. It is best to seize him now while he has not yet moved.”

Cao Cao laughed: “There is no need for your tiger-like might. In a few days Gongsun Kang will present the heads of both Yans to me.”

No commander believed him.

Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang then led several thousand horse toward Liaodong. Gongsun Kang, Governor of Liaodong, came from Xiangping and was the son of Wu-wei General Gongsun Du. When he heard the two brothers had come to surrender, he gathered his officers and discussed. Gongsun Gong said, “While Yuan Shao lived, he had long wished to seize Liaodong. Now that Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang are beaten and near death, they have nowhere to go and have come here to offer themselves. This is the act of a hawk and eagle seizing the magpie’s nest. If we host them, they will surely prey on each other and plot against us later. Better to lure them into the city and kill them, send their heads to Cao; then Cao will surely reward me.”

Kang said, “I only fear if Cao brings soldiers to Liaodong, it is better not to receive the two Yans and instead use them to help me.”

Geng said, “Send someone to scout. If Cao marches here, keep the two Yans. If he does not move, then kill both and send them to Cao.” Kang followed this and sent a scout.

When Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang arrived in Liaodong, the two spoke privately: “Liaodong has many thousands troops; it is enough to match Cao. We will pretend to submit now and later kill Gongsun Kang and seize his land, then build our strength and oppose the Central Plains to recover Hebei again.”

After deciding, they presented themselves to Gongsun Kang. Kang received them at a guest house but said he was ill and did not meet at once. Before a day passed, an informant reported, “Cao Cao’s army is stationed at Yizhou and has no intent to come to Liaodong.” Kang rejoiced. He placed his blade and axe men inside the wall curtains and brought the two Yans in.

After formal greetings, he ordered seats arranged. In severe cold, Shang saw no quilt or cushion on the couch and said, “I beg that seats be laid.”

Kang turned his eyes in rage and said, “Your heads traveled ten thousand li, and you ask for seats?”

Shang was startled. Kang shouted, “Why do your attendants not fall upon them?” Blade-men came out and with one motion climbed onto the seats, cutting off both heads. They placed the heads in a wooden chest and sent them to Yizhou for Cao Cao.

At that time Cao Cao sat at Yizhou, waiting without moving. Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao reported: “If we do not go to Liaodong, we can return to Xuchang; fear that Liu Biao may seize the chance.” Cao Cao said, “Wait until the Yans’ heads arrive, then return.” All quietly smiled.

Soon a messenger announced that Gongsun Kang had sent the heads of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. The whole assembly was startled. The envoy offered a letter. Cao Cao laughed and said, “So Fengxiao’s prediction proves true.” He heavily rewarded the envoy and made Gongsun Kang Marquis of Xiangping and Left General.

The officers asked, “How was it not as Fengxiao predicted?”

Cao Cao brought out Guo Jia’s letter and showed it:

I hear Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have gone to Liaodong. You must not send troops there. Gongsun Kang has long feared the Yans’ swallowing of this land. If the two Yans do arrive there, he will surely suspect them.

If you strike him at once, he and the Yans will surely combine and meet battle; delay will not do. If you wait, Gongsun Kang and the Yans will inevitably plot against one another. Their momentum is thus.

All praised him. Cao Cao gathered the officers again and made sacrificial offerings at Guo Jia’s spirit tablet. Jia had died at thirty-eight years of age; in ten years of campaigning he had earned many great merits.

Later men composed a verse:

Born of Heaven, Guo Fengxiao; a heroic figure among heroes,
The classics and histories in his belly, troops and weapons hidden in his breast;
He planned with the subtlety of Fan Li and decided with the decisiveness of Chen Ping.
Alas, he died too soon; the main beam of the Central Plains already tilts.

Cao Cao then led the army back to Jizhou and sent men ahead to place Guo Jia’s coffin in Xuchang for burial. Cheng Yu and others asked, “Now the north is settled. If we return to Xuchang, we can begin strategy for the lands south of the Yangtze.”

Cao Cao laughed, “I have long had this wish. What you say accords exactly with mine.”

That night he lodged on the eastern watchtower of Jizhou city and leaned on the balustrade watching the heavens. Xun You stood beside him. Cao Cao pointed and said, “The southern yang vitality is brilliant. Perhaps it is not yet time.”

Xun You replied, “With the Chancellor’s Heaven-borne majesty, what would not submit?”

As they watched, they suddenly saw a shaft of golden light rise from the ground. Xun You said, “This must be treasure hidden below.”

Cao Cao went down and ordered men to dig where the light had shown. So it was:

A star-trace points south toward the center; a turning of golden treasure rises from the northern earth.
What is obtained, we do not yet know. How this turned out will be told in the next chapter.