Now it was said that Cao Pi heard Cao Zhang had raised troops and was coming toward the capital. He anxiously asked the officials, and one man stepped forward, volunteering to go and bring him into obedience. Those present recognized him as Jia Kui, Remonstrance Gentleman. Cao Pi was greatly pleased and ordered Jia Kui to go.

Jia Kui took the command and rode out of the city, where he met Cao Zhang. Cao Zhang asked, “Where are the former sovereign’s seals and insignia?” Jia Kui said sternly, “The state has a crown prince, and the realm has an heir apparent. The former sovereign’s seals and insignia are not for you to ask about.”

Cao Zhang stayed silent. He then entered the city together with Jia Kui. Near the gate of the palace, Jia Kui asked, “Did you come to attend mourning, or to contest the throne?” Cao Zhang replied, “I came for mourning only. I harbor no other thought.”

Jia Kui said, “If so, why did you bring troops into the capital?” Cao Zhang immediately shouted for his men on both sides to fall back and, alone, entered in alone. The two brothers embraced and wept aloud. Cao Zhang handed over all his troops and horses to Cao Pi. Cao Pi ordered him to return to Yanling and hold there.

Cao Zhang bowed and left.

So Cao Pi settled on the throne and changed the twenty-fifth year of Jian’an into the first year of Yankang. He ennobled Jia Xu as Grand Commandant, Hua Xin as Chancellor, and Wang Lang as Censor-in-Chief. Officials at every level were all promoted.

He conferred the posthumous title of Wu Wang on Cao Cao and buried him at Gaoling in Ye Commandery. He gave Yu Jin the charge of managing the tomb. When Yu Jin arrived, he saw on the whitewashed walls paintings of Guan Yunchang’s victory at Shuiyin Seven Encampments, where Yu Jin had been captured: Guan Yunchang sat upright and dignified, while Pang De raged in anger without yielding; Yu Jin knelt on the ground in humiliation, pleading for a release of life.

Cao Pi had had these scenes painted on the tomb wall to humiliate Yu Jin, for he considered it indecorous that Yu Jin had been defeated, had failed to preserve martial integrity, then returned after surrender. When Yu Jin saw this painting, he felt shame and anger. His rage turned to illness, and he died soon after.

A later poet lamented:

For thirty years I spoke of old loyalty, yet, when danger came, he was not faithful to Cao.
He had not truly known men in his own heart; now he paints a tiger from its very bones.

Hua Xin then reported to Cao Pi: “The Marquis of Yanzhou, Cao Zhang, surrendered his troops and returned home. But the Marquis of Linzi, Cao Zhi, and Marquis of Xiao Huai, Cao Xiong, did not come to mourning. They should be charged with crime.”

Cao Pi approved and sent two missions at once.

After a day passed, the messenger from Xiao Huai returned to report, “Cao Xiong, Marquis of Xiao Huai, fearing punishment, hanged himself.” Cao Pi ordered a sumptuous burial and posthumously elevated him to King.

The next day another envoy returned, saying: “The Marquis of Linzi, Cao Zhi, has every day drunk and banqueted with Ding Yi (Zhengli) and Ding Yi (Jingli). They became wild and disrespectful. When the mission arrived, the Marquis of Linzi sat motionless and unmoving. Ding Yi shouted: ‘In former times the late sovereign wanted our lord to be made heir, but malicious ministers blocked it. How can he now, before mourning is ended, question blood kin?’

Ding Yi (Jingli) shouted: ‘Our lord’s wisdom surpasses the world and should naturally inherit; how could he not do so? Why are you ministers of court and cannot recognize talent of this scale?’

The Marquis of Linzi grew angry and shouted at the guards, ordering a staff to beat the attendants and drive everyone out.”

When Cao Pi heard this he was very angry and ordered Xu Chu to lead three thousand Tiger Guard troops at speed to Linzi to arrest Cao Zhi and all his companions.

Xu Chu led the army to Linzi City. The local commander tried to block him. Xu Chu stood and beheaded him on the spot, then entered the city directly. No one dared to oppose his thrust. He went straight to the hall.

Cao Zhi, Ding Yi (Zhengli), Ding Yi (Jingli), and their men all lay drunk and senseless. Xu Chu bound them, loaded them onto carts, and arrested all their subordinate officers and staff under the household, bringing all to Ye Commandery to await Cao Pi’s judgment.

Cao Pi ordered Ding Yi (Zhengli) and Ding Yi (Jingli) to be executed outright. The two men, were men of Pei Commandery and among the renowned scholars of their time. When they were killed, many regretted it.

Hearing that Cao Xiong had hanged himself, Cao Pi’s mother Lady Bian was deeply grieved. When she then heard that Cao Zhi had been seized and his associates Ding Yi and others already executed, she was greatly startled.

She hurried out and summoned Cao Pi to see her. Cao Pi came out of the hall and bowed in panic. Lady Bian wept and said, “Your brother Zhi always loved drinking and recklessness, because he trusts too much in his own talent and so has been unrestrained. Remember your own blood kinship and spare his life. Then I can rest in peace even at my ninth day in the grave.”

Cao Pi said, “Your son also deeply loves his talent; why should he harm him? I only wish now to correct his conduct.”

Lady Bian left in tears. Cao Pi returned to the side hall and summoned Cao Zhi.

Hua Xin asked, “Was this because Your Majesty’s mother asked you not to kill Zijian?” Cao Pi replied, “Yes.”

Hua Xin said, “Zhi is full of talent and wit. He is no ordinary man. If he is not removed now, he will become a later harm.”

Cao Pi said, “I cannot disobey my mother’s command.” Hua Xin said, “Everyone says that Zhi can speak in perfect prose and verse, but I do not fully trust this. Your Majesty should summon him and test him in talent. If he fails, he should be executed; if he truly succeeds, then demote him and silence the literary men of the realm.”

Cao Pi followed this.

After a while Cao Zhi came to audience, fearful, knelt down and begged pardon. Cao Pi said, “Though brotherly affection links us, duty and rank place you as my subject. How can you, relying on talent, disdain protocol? In our late lord’s day, you often showed off writing to others; I have long doubted you used others to write for you. I now allow you seven steps to create a poem. If you succeed, you will be spared one death; if you fail, you will face heavy punishment and I will not grant leniency.”

Cao Zhi said, “I beg Your Majesty to give the subject a topic.”

A water-ink painting hung in the hall showed two bulls fighting under an earth wall, one falling into a well and dying. Cao Pi pointed to it and said, “Take this as your topic. Your verse must not include the wording ‘two bulls fighting under the wall, one bull falls into the well and dies.’”

Cao Zhi took seven steps and completed this poem:

Two oxen walk in perfect alignment; one carries a hollow ridge on its head.
Encountering each other at the bank’s slope, they suddenly collide and clash.
The two enemies were not equally hard-fated, and one lay in a pit of earth.
This was not weakness of strength, but that mighty force had not fully exhausted itself.

Cao Pi and the full court were all astonished.

Cao Pi said again, “Though you made the poem in seven steps, I still find it slow. Can you answer with a poem extemporaneously now?”

Cao Zhi said, “I beg for a topic immediately.”

Cao Pi said, “We are brothers. Let this be the topic. Do not include the character “brother.””

Cao Zhi did not pause to think and instantly spoke:

Beans boiling, bean vines burned as fuel, While beans in the pot weep. They share one root from the same mother-tree; Why must one be hastened to crush the other?

When Cao Pi heard it, tears came to his eyes. Lady Bian then came out from behind the hall and asked, “Why do you oppress your brother so far?”

Cao Pi hastily rose and left his seat, saying, “State law cannot be abandoned.” Then he demoted Cao Zhi to Marquis of Anxiang. Cao Zhi bowed and took up his horse to depart.

After Cao Pi had succeeded, he renewed laws and statutes. He pressured the Han emperor even more than his father had. Detail agents had already reported to Chengdu. Liu Bei, King of Hanzhong, heard this and was shocked. He consulted with his civil and military officers and said, “Cao Cao is dead and Cao Pi has succeeded him. He presses the Son of Heaven more harshly than Cao Cao ever did. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has extended submission with folded hands. I wish first to punish Eastern Wu and avenge Guan Gong; next I wish to pacify the Central Plains and remove the rebel villains.”

Before he finished, Liao Hua rose up and bowed to the ground, crying, “Lord Guan and his son were killed because of Liu Feng and Meng Da. Grant my lord’s order to execute these two villains.”

Liu Bei was about to send men to capture them.

Kongming remonstrated: “Not now. We should first set a slower plan. If pressed now, disaster will break out at once. Promote both men to commandery posts and send them in different regions. Then they can be captured.”

Liu Bei obeyed and sent an order to promote Liu Feng to hold Mianzhu.

Indeed, Peng Yang and Meng Da were close allies. When they heard this, they quickly returned home and made a report to be sent, sending Peng Yang’s trusted man at once to Meng Da. The messenger had only just left the south gate when Ma Chao, on an inspection ride, apprehended him and brought him before Ma Chao.

Ma Chao understood the matter at once and went to see Peng Yang. Peng Yang welcomed him and set out wine. After several rounds, Ma Chao pried with words: “Formerly King Hanzhong was exceedingly generous to you; why have you grown cold?”

Peng Yang, drunk, cursed and said bitterly, “An old villainous fool— I will surely repay him!” Ma Chao pressed on: “I, too, have long harbored resentment.”

Peng Yang said, “Raise your own troops and join with Meng Da to support us from outside; I will lead the Sichuan troops as an inner response. Then a great undertaking can be achieved.”

Ma Chao said, “Your plan is fitting. We will discuss it further tomorrow.”

Ma Chao left and conveyed Peng Yang and the letter to Liu Bei, explaining everything in detail. Liu Bei was very angry and ordered Peng Yang seized and thrown in jail for interrogation.

In prison Peng Yang repented too late. Liu Bei asked Kongming, “Peng Yang had intent to rebel; how shall he be punished?” Kongming said, “Though he is a wild and unruly man, leaving him alive will surely produce disaster.” So Liu Bei gave Peng Yang death in jail.

After Peng Yang’s death, someone informed Meng Da. Meng Da was greatly startled. He lost his composure. Before long, an envoy arrived ordering Liu Feng to return to guard Mianzhu.

Meng Da panicked and urgently gathered with his brothers-in-arms Shen Dan and Shen Yi, the commanders of Shangyong, to discuss: “Meng Da and Fa Xiaozhi have both rendered service to the King of Han. Now Xiaozhi is dead, and the King of Han has forgotten my prior service, and wishes to harm me. What shall I do?”

Shen Dan said, “I have a scheme by which the King of Han cannot harm you.” Meng Da was overjoyed and quickly asked what scheme.

Shen Dan said, “My brothers and I have long wished to surrender to Wei. You can draft a memorial resigning from your service to the King of Han and go over to Wei King Cao Pi. Cao Pi will certainly make use of you fully. My two brothers and I will come to surrender after you.”

Meng Da suddenly understood and wrote such a memorial at once, giving it to the envoy. That same evening he rode out with more than fifty horsemen and surrendered to Wei.

The envoy returned to Chengdu and presented the memorial to Liu Bei, reporting Meng Da’s defection.

Liu Bei read it and was furious:

Your servant Da humbly submits: your Highness has set out to complete the enterprises of Yi and Lu and to pursue the achievements of Huan and Wen. Great work has only just been begun, and by seizing advantage from Wu and Chu, you have drawn to you men of enterprise, who have returned and submitted. Ever since I placed myself under you, I have accumulated errors unending; I know myself, and how much more so Your Highness? Now, since in Your Highness’s court talents gather like fish in full school, I have no aptitude inside for aiding you and no talent outside for commanding troops. When I stand among your meritorious ministers, I can truly only be ashamed of myself.

I have heard it said that Fanli perceived the slightest signs and drifted upon the Five Lakes; that Shangfan sought pardon and repaid offense on the riverbank. In this moment of conjunction, I ask to resign my life and plead for release: it is but a desire to cleanse and separate my obligations.

How, then, can I, who am base and poor, with neither great merits nor great service, yet still be bound by the times, but secretly long for former worthies and think on distant shame? In former times Shen Sheng was supremely filial yet doubted by kin; Zi Xun was supremely loyal yet put to death by his sovereign; Meng Tian enlarged borders and yet bore a great penalty; Yue Yi broke Qi and yet was slandered by smooth tongues. Each time I have read their records, tears have never failed me; when they happened before my eyes, grief only deepened.

Recently Jing Province was overthrown, and high ministers lost discipline; not one returned. But because of what has happened to me, I have gone to Fangling and Shangyong and then begged to be removed from office and released abroad. I hope Your Highness’s holy favor, with true understanding and pity, will grasp my heart and compassionately consider my act.

I am a truly small man and cannot keep constant loyalty from beginning to end. If I knew and still did it, how can I say I am without guilt? I have often heard it said: when friends part there is no evil report; those who depart carry no words of resentment. I, your servant, followed a gentleman’s instruction; I pray Your Highness will try to honor it.

Liu Bei finished reading and said, “How dare this commoner betray me and mock me with polished words?” He almost ordered an immediate campaign to capture him. Kongming said, “Then send Liu Feng at once with troops and let the two tigers combine. If Liu Feng gains merit or suffers defeat, he will return to Chengdu, and then he can be dealt with, avoiding two evils.” Liu Bei agreed and sent orders to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng obeyed, leading soldiers to arrest Meng Da.

Later, Cao Pi was in the capital gathering officials when a close retainer reported, “General Meng Da of Shu has come in surrender.” Cao Pi summoned him and asked, “You have come this time. Is it not possible you are pretending to submit?”

Meng Da replied, “I did not save Lord Guan in his danger; therefore the King of Han wishes to kill me. I have come in fear of punishment; I have no other intent.”

Though Cao Pi had not yet fully believed him, news came that Liu Feng was bringing five or more ten-thousand troops and was coming to seize Xiangyang to engage Meng Da in close battle.

Cao Pi said, “If your heart is truly sincere, you may go to Xiangyang and bring back Liu Feng’s head. Only then I will believe you.”

Meng Da said, “If benefits and harms are considered, there is no need to move the armies; Liu Feng himself can be made to submit.”

Cao Pi rejoiced and promoted Meng Da to Scattered Cavalry Gentleman, General Who Establishes Military Success, and Marquis of Pingyang Ting. He made him Administrator of Xincheng and assigned him to guard Xiangyang and Fancheng.

At that time Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang were already in Xiangyang, collecting the units from Shangyong. When Meng Da arrived, he paid due courtesy to the two generals. He learned that Liu Feng had camped fifty li beyond the city beneath a hill. Meng Da sent a letter inviting Liu Feng to surrender.

When Liu Feng read the letter, he was in such anger saying, “This traitor has violated the duty of uncle and nephew and sullied the relation between father and son, making me appear disloyal and unfilial!” He tore up the letter and beheaded its messenger.

The next day he marched out to engage in battle.

Meng Da, hearing what had happened, was outraged at once and led his army out.

The two formations closed and faced each other. Liu Feng, mounted beneath the gate banner, pointed his saber and shouted, “Traitor who betrays the state, how dare you so blaspheme?”

Meng Da replied, “Death stands before you already. Why do you still cling to denial?” Liu Feng grew furious, drove his horse forward and charged directly at Meng Da. The fight was brief; Meng Da broke and fled. Liu Feng chased for twenty or more li. His cry rose, and all the ambush troops came out at once.

Shanghou Shang came from the left, and Xu Huang from the right. Meng Da turned back and fought again. Three armies attacked in a pincer.

Liu Feng was badly defeated and retreated through the night to Shangyong. Wei troops pursued from behind. Liu Feng reached the city wall and called to be let in, but disorderly arrows came down from the battlements.

Shen Dan called from the enemy tower, “I have already surrendered to Wei!”

Liu Feng’s footing was unsteady; he had no choice but to flee toward Fangling. He saw the city now fully hung with Wei banners. Shen Yi on the opposing tower shook his banner. From behind the city a massed unit surged forth, bearing a banner that read in large script, “Right General Xu Huang.”

Liu Feng could no longer stand the onslaught and fled hoping to reach western Sichuan. Xu Huang pressed the pursuit. Liu Feng had only a hundred riders left. On arriving in Chengdu, he entered in front of the King of Han and knelt, weeping, to detail the former events.

Liu Bei was furious and said, “With what face has an unclean son returned to me?”

Liu Feng said, “Your uncle’s peril was such that no son should not have aided him; it was only because Meng Da’s counsel obstructed me.”

Liu Bei’s anger shifted. “You should eat human flesh and wear human robes. You are no mere wooden puppet! How could you listen to a slanderous villain’s obstruction?” He ordered attendants to drag him out and execute him.

Liu Bei had now executed Liu Feng. Later, when he heard that Meng Da had invited and then betrayed him and that he had torn up the letter and executed the envoy, he regretted it inwardly. He also grieved over Guan Gong and had become ill from that grief, so he stayed his armies.

Meanwhile Cao Pi, since assuming kingship, rewarded all civil and military officials once more. He then commanded three hundred thousand troops, touring south to Qiao County in Pei. He made a grand offering before the ancestral tomb. The elders of the nearby fields raised dust along the roads and presented cups of wine in attendance, reenacting Han Gaozu’s return to Pei.

A report arrived that General Xiahou Dun was gravely ill. Cao Pi immediately returned to Ye Commandery. By then Xiahou Dun had already died, so Cao Pi assumed mourning and arranged his burial with full honors.

In the eighth month of that year, there were reports that phoenix omens appeared in Shiyi County, a qilin was seen in Linzi City, and a yellow dragon appeared in Ye Commandery.

Thus Li Fu, Zhonglang General, and Xu Zhi, Assistant to the Grand Historian, deliberated: such auspicious signs were signs that Wei should replace Han, and a ceremony of transfer might be arranged, with the Son of Heaven handing heaven-mandated rule to Cao Pi.

Accordingly Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Qiao, Chen Qun, and Huan Jie, with more than forty officials of civil and military rank, entered the inner hall together and presented the request before Emperor Xian that he cede the realm to Wei King Cao Pi.

The Cao household’s state altars are now close to being founded; the Han’s court and territory have already shifted.

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