Chapter 10

Ma Teng Raises a Loyalist Army; Cao Cao Marches to Avenge His Father

Now Li Jue and Guo Si, the two villains, intended to murder Emperor Xian. Zhang Ji and Fan Chou remonstrated: “You must not. If you kill him today, we fear the people will not submit. Better to continue honoring him as sovereign and lure the feudal lords within the passes. First remove his wings; then kill him, and the empire may be ours.”

Li Jue and Guo Si followed their counsel and lowered their weapons. From the tower, the emperor proclaimed: “Wang Yun has already been executed. Why have your troops not withdrawn?”

Li Jue and Guo Si replied, “We have rendered service to the imperial house but have not yet received noble rank. Therefore we dare not withdraw our troops.”

The emperor said, “What ranks do you desire?”

Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou each wrote out the office and title he demanded and presented it, insisting upon appointment to that precise rank. The emperor had no choice but to comply. He appointed Li Jue General of Chariots and Cavalry and Marquis of Chiyang, with concurrent command as Colonel Director of Retainers, and granted him the imperial battle-axe; Guo Si became General of the Rear and was likewise granted the imperial battle-axe. Together they controlled the government. Fan Chou became General of the Right and Marquis of Wannian. Zhang Ji became General of Agile Cavalry and Marquis of Pingyang, and led troops to garrison Hongnong. The rest, including Li Meng and Wang Fang, were each made colonels.

Only then did they give thanks for the imperial favor and lead their troops out of the city. They further ordered a search for Dong Zhuo’s remains. Having recovered a few scraps of skin and bone, they carved a body from fragrant wood, fitted the fragments into it, and arranged a magnificent sacrifice. They provided the robes and crown, coffin and outer coffin of a king, selected an auspicious day, and prepared to rebury him at the fortress of Mei.

When the day of burial came, heaven sent down a tremendous thunderstorm. Water stood several feet deep over the level ground, and a thunderbolt split open the coffin and cast the corpse outside it. Li Jue waited for clear weather and buried him again, but that night the same thing happened. Three times they attempted the burial, and three times he could not be buried. Every scrap of skin and splinter of bone was consumed by thunder and fire. Heaven’s wrath against Dong Zhuo may indeed be called extreme!

Once Li Jue and Guo Si had seized supreme power, they brutalized the common people and secretly placed trusted agents at Emperor Xian’s side to watch his every movement. At this time, the emperor’s every step was hedged with thorns. All promotions and demotions among the court officials were decided by the two villains. Seeking to win public esteem, they specially summoned Zhu Jun to court, appointed him Grand Coachman, and had him share in the conduct of government.

One day, word came that Ma Teng, Administrator of Xiliang, and Han Sui, Inspector of Bingzhou, were leading more than a hundred thousand troops in a charge upon Chang’an, openly proclaiming their intent to punish the traitors.

It turned out that the two commanders had earlier sent men into Chang’an and secretly allied themselves with three officials—the Palace Attendant Ma Yu, the Grandee Remonstrant and Consultant Chong Shao, and Liu Fan, General of the Gentlemen of the Left—who were to support them from within. Together they plotted against the traitorous faction. The three secretly memorialized Emperor Xian, who appointed Ma Teng General Who Conquers the West and Han Sui General Who Guards the West. Each received a secret edict ordering them to combine their strength and punish the villains.

When Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou heard that the two armies were approaching, they assembled to discuss a plan of defense. The strategist Jia Xu said: “The two armies have come from afar. We should do nothing but deepen our moats, raise our ramparts, and hold firm against them. Within a hundred days at most, their provisions will be exhausted and they will certainly withdraw of their own accord. Then we may lead out our troops in pursuit, and both commanders can be captured.”

Li Meng and Wang Fang stepped forward and said, “This is no good plan. Lend us ten thousand picked troops, and we will at once cut off the heads of Ma Teng and Han Sui and present them beneath your command standard.”

Jia Xu said, “If you engage them now, you will certainly be defeated.”

Li Meng and Wang Fang cried together, “If the two of us are defeated, we willingly submit to beheading. But if we win, you, sir, must surrender your head to us!”

Jia Xu said to Li Jue and Guo Si: “Two hundred li west of Chang’an lies Mount Zhouzhi, where the road is steep and perilous. Generals Zhang and Fan may be sent to station troops there and hold the fortifications. Meanwhile, let Li Meng and Wang Fang lead their own troops out to meet the enemy.”

Li Jue and Guo Si followed his advice and assigned fifteen thousand troops and cavalry to Li Meng and Wang Fang. The two departed in delight and encamped two hundred and eighty li from Chang’an.

When the Xiliang army arrived, the two commanders led their troops out to meet it. The soldiers and cavalry of Xiliang blocked the road and deployed in battle formation. Ma Teng and Han Sui rode out bridle to bridle and pointed at Li Meng and Wang Fang, reviling them: “Traitors to the realm! Who will capture them?”

Before the words had left their mouths, a young general appeared. His face was like crowned jade, his eyes like shooting stars. He had a tiger’s frame and an ape’s arms, a leopard’s belly and a wolf’s waist. Long spear in hand and mounted on a superb horse, he flew out from the formation.

This commander was Ma Teng’s son, Ma Chao, whose courtesy name was Mengqi. He was only seventeen years old, yet his valor was unrivaled. Wang Fang, contemptuous of his youth, spurred forward to meet him. They had fought fewer than several bouts when Ma Chao thrust him beneath his horse with a single stroke of the spear.

Ma Chao reined in and turned back. Seeing Wang Fang speared to death, Li Meng galloped after Ma Chao from behind. Ma Chao pretended not to know. From the gateway of the formation, Ma Teng shouted, “Someone is pursuing you from behind!”

Before the shout had died away, Ma Chao had already seized Li Meng and carried him across his horse. In truth, Ma Chao had known perfectly well that Li Meng was pursuing him but had deliberately lingered. When Li Meng’s horse drew close and he thrust with his spear, Ma Chao slipped aside. Li Meng stabbed empty air. As the two horses came abreast, Ma Chao lightly extended his ape-like arm and took him alive.

Their soldiers, left without commanders, fled at the mere sight of the enemy. Ma Teng and Han Sui pressed their advantage and pursued, slaughtering as they went. They won a great victory, advanced directly to the pass, and encamped below it. Li Meng was beheaded, and his head displayed as a warning.

When Li Jue and Guo Si learned that Li Meng and Wang Fang had both been killed by Ma Chao, they finally believed in Jia Xu’s foresight and relied fully upon his plan. They concerned themselves only with guarding the pass and its defenses. However the enemy challenged them, they would not come out to engage.

As expected, before two months had passed, the Xiliang army ran short of both grain and fodder and began discussing a retreat. Just then, a servant of Ma Yu’s household in Chang’an denounced his master, revealing how Ma Yu, Liu Fan, and Chong Shao had allied themselves with Ma Teng and Han Sui outside the city and intended to support them from within.

Li Jue and Guo Si were furious. They arrested every member of the three households—young and old, free and bond—and beheaded them in the marketplace. The three men’s heads were carried directly to the gate and displayed as a warning.

Ma Teng and Han Sui, seeing that their provisions were exhausted and their allies within the city had been exposed, had no choice but to strike camp and withdraw. Li Jue and Guo Si ordered Zhang Ji to pursue Ma Teng and Fan Chou to pursue Han Sui. The Xiliang army suffered a great defeat.

Ma Chao fought desperately in the rear guard and drove Zhang Ji back. Fan Chou pursued Han Sui and was on the verge of overtaking him near Chencang when Han Sui reined in his horse and called to him: “You and I are men of the same homeland. Why are you so utterly without feeling today?”

Fan Chou also reined in and answered, “A command from above cannot be disobeyed!”

Han Sui said, “I too came here for the sake of the state. Why do you press me so relentlessly?”

On hearing this, Fan Chou wheeled his horse around, called back his troops, and returned to camp, allowing Han Sui to escape.

Neither man had guarded against Li Jue’s nephew, Li Bie, who saw Fan Chou release Han Sui and went back to report it to his uncle. Li Jue was furious and immediately wanted to raise troops against Fan Chou.

Jia Xu said: “At present, the people’s hearts are still unsettled. Repeatedly resorting to arms would be deeply inconvenient. Better to arrange a banquet, invite Zhang Ji and Fan Chou to celebrate their victory, then seize Fan Chou and behead him at the feast. It will cost no effort at all.”

Li Jue was delighted. He arranged the banquet and invited Zhang Ji and Fan Chou, who gladly came to attend. When the wine had gone halfway round, Li Jue’s expression suddenly changed.

“Why have you, Fan Chou, entered into secret dealings with Han Sui and plotted rebellion?”

Fan Chou was appalled. Before he could reply, men armed with swords and axes surged forward and beheaded him beside the banquet table. Zhang Ji was so terrified that he prostrated himself on the ground.

Li Jue helped him up and said, “Fan Chou plotted rebellion, and therefore I executed him. You, sir, are one of my most trusted men. Why should you be afraid?”

He transferred Fan Chou’s troops to Zhang Ji’s command. Zhang Ji then returned to Hongnong.

After Li Jue and Guo Si defeated the Xiliang army, none of the feudal lords dared challenge them. Jia Xu repeatedly urged them to pacify the common people and cultivate ties with worthy and distinguished men. From that time, the imperial court showed a faint return of life.

Unexpectedly, the Yellow Turbans rose again in Qingzhou, gathering several hundred thousand followers under a multitude of chiefs and plundering the law-abiding people. Zhu Jun, the Grand Coachman, recommended a man capable of destroying all the rebels.

Li Jue and Guo Si asked who it was.

Zhu Jun said, “If you wish to destroy the rebel bands east of the mountains, no one but Cao Mengde can do it.”

Li Jue said, “Where is Mengde now?”

Zhu Jun replied, “He is presently Administrator of Dongjun and commands a great body of troops. If this man is ordered to punish the rebels, a date may be fixed for their destruction.”

Li Jue was delighted. That very night he drafted an imperial edict and dispatched a messenger to carry it to Dongjun, ordering Cao Cao and Bao Xin, Chancellor of Jibei, to destroy the rebels together.

Cao Cao received the imperial command, joined forces with Bao Xin, and together they raised troops and attacked the rebels at Shouyang. Bao Xin fought his way deep into their position and was killed by them. Cao Cao pursued the rebel army as far as Jibei, where tens of thousands surrendered.

Cao Cao immediately used the former rebels as his vanguard, and wherever his army went, all submitted. In little more than a hundred days, he accepted the surrender of more than three hundred thousand soldiers and over a million men and women. From among them he selected the finest and named them the “Qingzhou Army”; all the rest he ordered to return to farming.

From that time, Cao Cao’s power and fame grew daily. When the report of victory reached Chang’an, the court promoted him to General Who Guards the East.

In Yanzhou, Cao Cao recruited worthy men and welcomed scholars. An uncle and nephew came to join him. The uncle was a native of Yingyin in Yingchuan, surnamed Xun, given name Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, and was the son of Xun Kun. Formerly in Yuan Shao’s service, he had now abandoned Yuan Shao and joined Cao Cao. Cao Cao took great delight in speaking with him and said, “Here is my own Zhang Liang!” He appointed Xun Yu Military Adjutant to the Field Army.

Xun Yu’s nephew, Xun You, whose courtesy name was Gongda, was a renowned scholar throughout the realm. He had once been appointed Palace Gentleman of the Yellow Gates but later abandoned office and returned home. Now he joined Cao Cao together with his uncle, and Cao Cao appointed him Instructor to the Field Army.

Xun Yu said, “I have heard of a worthy man in Yanzhou, though I do not know where he is now.”

Cao Cao asked who it was.

Xun Yu replied, “He is a native of Dong’e in Dongjun, surnamed Cheng, given name Yu, courtesy name Zhongde.”

Cao Cao said, “I too have long heard of his reputation.”

He therefore sent men to make inquiries in Cheng Yu’s native district. They learned that he was studying in the mountains, and Cao Cao respectfully invited him into service. When Cheng Yu came to see him, Cao Cao was delighted.

Cheng Yu said to Xun Yu, “My learning is shallow and my knowledge slight; I am unworthy of your recommendation. A man from your own district, surnamed Guo, given name Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, is one of the worthiest men of the present age. Why do you not cast your net and bring him in?”

Xun Yu suddenly remembered and said, “I had almost forgotten him!”

He then urged Cao Cao to summon Guo Jia to Yanzhou, where together they discussed the affairs of the empire.

Guo Jia recommended a direct descendant of Emperor Guangwu, a native of Chengde in Huainan, surnamed Liu, given name Ye, courtesy name Ziyang. Cao Cao at once invited Liu Ye to come.

Liu Ye in turn recommended two men. One was a native of Changyi in Shanyang, surnamed Man, given name Chong, courtesy name Boning. The other was a native of Wucheng, surnamed Lü, given name Qian, courtesy name Zike. Cao Cao had long known both men’s reputations and appointed them staff officers in the army.

Man Chong and Lü Qian together recommended another man, a native of Pingqiu in Chenliu, surnamed Mao, given name Jie, courtesy name Xiaoxian. Cao Cao likewise appointed him a staff officer.

Another commander arrived with several hundred soldiers to join Cao Cao. He was a native of Juping in Taishan, surnamed Yu, given name Jin, courtesy name Wenze. Cao Cao saw that he was highly skilled with bow and horse and outstanding in martial arts, and appointed him Military Commandant.

One day, Xiahou Dun brought a great, powerfully built man to see Cao Cao.

Cao Cao asked who he was.

Xiahou Dun said, “This man is a native of Chenliu, surnamed Dian, given name Wei, and his strength and courage surpass those of ordinary men. He formerly served Zhang Miao, but after quarreling with men under the command tent, he killed several dozen of them with his own hands and fled into the mountains. While out hunting, I saw Dian Wei chase a deer across a mountain stream, so I took him into the army. I now specially recommend him to you, my lord.”

Cao Cao said, “Judging from his towering build, this man must possess great strength.”

Xiahou Dun said, “He once killed a man to avenge a friend, then carried the severed head straight through a crowded marketplace, while several hundred men dared not approach him. The two iron halberds he now uses weigh eighty jin. He tucks them beneath his arms, mounts his horse, and wields them as though they were flying.”

Cao Cao at once ordered Dian Wei to demonstrate. Tucking the halberds beneath his arms, Dian Wei spurred his horse and galloped back and forth.

Suddenly the great banner before the command tent was caught by the wind and seemed about to topple. A crowd of soldiers struggled to hold it but could not steady it. Dian Wei dismounted, shouted at them to stand back, and grasped the flagstaff with one hand. He stood amid the gale, majestic and unmoving.

Cao Cao said, “This is the E Lai of ancient times!”

He appointed Dian Wei Colonel of the Guard before the Command Tent, then took off his own brocade coat and bestowed it upon him, together with a superb horse and a carved saddle.

From that time on, Cao Cao had counselors of strategy among his civil officers and fierce commanders among his warriors, and his power awed all the lands east of the mountains.

He sent Ying Shao, Administrator of Taishan, to Langya Commandery to welcome his father, Cao Song. Since fleeing the troubles in Chenliu, Cao Song had lived in seclusion in Langya. On receiving Cao Cao’s letter, he immediately set out for Yanzhou with his younger brother Cao De, more than forty members of his household young and old, over a hundred attendants, and more than a hundred carts.

Their road took them through Xuzhou. Its Administrator, Tao Qian, whose courtesy name was Gongzu, was warm-hearted and sincere by nature. He had long wished to establish friendly relations with Cao Cao but had lacked the opportunity. Learning that Cao Cao’s father was passing through, he went beyond the borders of his jurisdiction to welcome him, bowed twice in reverence, arranged a magnificent banquet, and entertained him for two days.

When Cao Song was ready to leave, Tao Qian personally escorted him beyond the outer wall and specially assigned Commandant Zhang Kai and five hundred troops to protect him on the road.

Cao Song and his household traveled as far as the region between Hua and Fei. It was the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and a sudden deluge forced them to seek shelter for the night in an ancient temple.

The monks admitted them. Cao Song settled his family inside and ordered Zhang Kai to quarter his soldiers in the two side galleries. The clothing and equipment of all the troops were soaked by the rain, and the soldiers grumbled with one voice.

Zhang Kai summoned the leaders under his command to a secluded place and said: “We were originally remnants of the Yellow Turbans. We submitted to Tao Qian only under compulsion and have gained no advantage from it. Cao Song now has innumerable baggage carts and wagons. If you want wealth and honor, it will not be difficult. Tonight at the third watch, we will all cut our way inside, kill Cao Song and his entire household, seize the treasure, and go together into the mountains to become freebooters. What do you think of this plan?”

They all agreed.

That night the wind and rain had not ceased. Cao Song was still sitting awake when he suddenly heard a tremendous clamor arise on every side. Cao De took up his sword and went out to look, only to be stabbed to death.

Cao Song hurriedly led one of his concubines into the rear of the abbot’s quarters, intending to climb over the wall and escape. But the concubine was too fat to get over. In panic, Cao Song hid with her in the privy, where the disorderly soldiers killed them both.

Ying Shao fought desperately to escape with his life and fled to Yuan Shao. Zhang Kai slaughtered Cao Song’s entire household, seized the treasure, set fire to the temple, and fled toward Huainan with his five hundred men.

A later poet wrote:

The age acclaimed Cao Cao, master of deceit,Who once destroyed the whole Lü family.Now his own house has met the murderers’ blades:Heaven’s justice turns and never misses its mark.

Some soldiers under Ying Shao who had escaped with their lives carried the news to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao heard it, he fell to the ground weeping. Those around him helped him up.

Grinding his teeth, Cao Cao said: “Tao Qian let his troops murder my father. Under the same heaven, he and I cannot live! I will now raise my entire army and scour Xuzhou clean. Only then will my hatred be appeased!”

He left Xun Yu and Cheng Yu with thirty thousand troops to defend the three counties of Juancheng, Fan, and Dong’e. With all the rest, he charged toward Xuzhou. Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Dian Wei formed the vanguard.

Cao Cao ordered that whenever a city was taken, every commoner within it was to be slaughtered in revenge for his father.

At that time, Bian Rang, Administrator of Jiujiang, who was on close terms with Tao Qian, heard that Xuzhou was in danger and personally led five thousand troops to its aid. When Cao Cao learned of this, he was furious and sent Xiahou Dun to intercept and destroy him on the road.

Chen Gong was then serving as a staff officer in Dongjun and was likewise on close terms with Tao Qian. When he heard that Cao Cao had raised an army to take revenge and intended to slaughter all the people, he traveled through the night to see him.

Cao Cao knew that Chen Gong had come as Tao Qian’s advocate and wanted to refuse him an audience, but he could not entirely disregard their former bond. He therefore had Chen Gong admitted to the command tent.

Chen Gong said: “I now hear that my lord has brought a great army against Xuzhou to avenge your honored father and intends to slaughter all the people wherever you go. For this reason, I have come especially to offer counsel. Tao Qian is a humane man and a gentleman, not one who forgets righteousness in pursuit of gain. Your honored father’s death was Zhang Kai’s crime, not Tao Qian’s. Moreover, what enmity do the people of the commanderies and counties bear toward you, my lord? To kill them would bring calamity. I beg you to think three times before you act.”

Cao Cao angrily replied: “You abandoned me and left in former days. With what face do you now return to see me? Tao Qian murdered my entire family. I have sworn to tear out his gall and cut out his heart to appease my hatred! Though you lobby for Tao Qian, what can you do if I refuse to listen?”

Chen Gong took his leave and came out, sighing: “Nor have I any face with which to meet Tao Qian!”

He mounted his horse and rode away to join Zhang Miao, Administrator of Chenliu.

Wherever Cao Cao’s great army went, it slaughtered the people and dug open the graves.

In Xuzhou, when Tao Qian heard that Cao Cao had raised an army for revenge and was killing the common people, he lifted his face to heaven and wept bitterly: “I have sinned against heaven and brought this great calamity upon the people of Xuzhou!”

He urgently assembled his officers to deliberate.

Cao Bao said, “Cao Cao’s army has already come. Can we merely bind our hands and await death? I am willing to help you, Governor, defeat him.”

Tao Qian had no choice but to lead out his troops to meet the enemy. From a distance he saw Cao Cao’s army spread like frost and surge like snow. Two white banners stood in the center, each bearing four great words:

AVENGE THE WRONG WIPE OUT THE HATRED

The troops and cavalry deployed in battle formation. Cao Cao spurred his horse out before the ranks, dressed from head to foot in white mourning clothes, and raised his whip as he thundered abuse.

Tao Qian also rode out beneath the gate-banner. Inclining himself in salute, he said: “I wished only to befriend you, my lord, and for that reason entrusted Zhang Kai with the escort. I never imagined that the villain’s heart remained unchanged and that this disaster would result. It was truly not of my doing. I beg you, my lord, to examine the matter.”

Cao Cao cursed him: “Old wretch! You murdered my father and still dare spew these falsehoods! Who will take this old villain alive?”

Xiahou Dun answered the call and charged out.

Tao Qian fled in alarm into his formation. Xiahou Dun pursued him, but Cao Bao leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and came forward to meet him.

As the two horses closed, a violent wind suddenly rose, hurling sand and driving stones through the air. Both armies fell into disorder, and each side withdrew its troops.

Tao Qian returned to the city and deliberated with the others.

“Cao Cao’s army is too powerful to resist. I will bind myself and go to his camp, there to submit to whatever cutting and dismemberment he chooses, if by doing so I may save the lives of Xuzhou’s people.”

Before he had finished, one man stepped forward and said: “You, Governor, have long guarded Xuzhou, and its people are grateful for your grace. Though Cao Cao’s troops are numerous, they cannot yet break our city. You and the people must hold firm and not go out. Though I possess little talent, I am willing to employ a small stratagem that will leave Cao Cao without a place to bury his body!”

Everyone was astonished and asked what plan he would devise.

It was just as the verse says:

He sought a bond of friendship, but won hatred in return;Who knew that where all hope was lost, life would be found again?

Who, after all, was this man? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.

Ma Teng Raises a Loyalist Army; Cao Cao Marches to Avenge His Father

Now Li Jue and Guo Si, the two villains, intended to murder Emperor Xian. Zhang Ji and Fan Chou advised them, “You must not. If you kill him now, we fear the people will not submit. It would be better to continue honoring him as sovereign and lure the lords into the passes. First remove their supporting wings, and then kill him. The empire can then be taken.” Li Jue and Guo Si followed their advice and lowered their weapons. From the tower, the Emperor proclaimed, “Wang Yun has already been executed. Why have your troops not withdrawn?” Li Jue and Guo Si said, “We have rendered service to the imperial house but have not yet been granted noble rank, so we dare not withdraw our troops.” The Emperor said, “What ranks do you wish to receive?” Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou each wrote down a title and presented it, insisting on those exact offices and ranks. The Emperor had no choice but to consent. He appointed Li Jue General of Chariots and Cavalry and Marquis of Chiyang, with the additional office of Colonel Director of Retainers, and granted him the imperial staff and battle-ax. Guo Si was made General of the Rear and granted the imperial staff and battle-ax. Together they controlled the government. Fan Chou was made General of the Right and Marquis of Wannian. Zhang Ji was made General of Swift Cavalry and Marquis of Pingyang, and was ordered to lead troops and station them at Hongnong. The others, including Li Meng and Wang Fang, were each made colonels. Only then did they give thanks for the imperial favor and lead their troops out of the city. They also ordered a search for Dong Zhuo’s remains. They recovered some scattered scraps of skin and bone, carved a body from fragrant wood, fitted everything together properly, and held a great sacrificial ceremony. They used the robes, cap, inner coffin, and outer coffin of a king, chose an auspicious day, and prepared to rebury him at Mei Fortress. When the day of burial came, Heaven sent violent thunder and rain. The water on level ground rose several feet deep, and a thunderbolt split open his coffin and hurled the corpse outside it. Li Jue waited for clear weather and buried him again, but that night the same thing happened once more. They changed the burial place three times, but each time he could not be buried. Every scrap of skin and splinter of bone was destroyed by thunder and fire. Heaven’s anger against Dong Zhuo may truly be called extreme!

After Li Jue and Guo Si seized supreme power, they cruelly oppressed the people. In secret they placed trusted men around the Emperor to watch his every movement. At this time, Emperor Xian’s every step was hemmed in by thorns. All promotions and demotions among the officials at court were decided by the two villains. To satisfy public opinion, they specially summoned Zhu Jun to court, made him Grand Coachman, and allowed him to share in the administration of the government.

One day, it was reported that Ma Teng, Administrator of Xiliang, and Han Sui, Inspector of Bing Province, were leading more than a hundred thousand troops in a fierce advance on Chang’an, openly declaring that they had come to punish the traitors. It turned out that the two commanders had previously sent men into Chang’an to form secret connections with Palace Attendant Ma Yu, Grand Remonstrant Chong Shao, and General of the Gentlemen of the Left Liu Fan, who were to support them from within. Together they plotted against the traitorous faction. The three men secretly petitioned Emperor Xian, who appointed Ma Teng General Who Conquers the West and Han Sui General Who Guards the West. Each received a secret edict ordering them to combine their strength and punish the traitors. When Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou heard that the two armies were approaching, they met to discuss a plan for resisting the enemy. Their strategist Jia Xu said, “The two armies have come from far away. We should only dig deep moats, raise high ramparts, and hold firmly against them. In no more than a hundred days, their provisions will be exhausted and they will certainly withdraw on their own. Then we can lead our troops in pursuit and capture both commanders.” Li Meng and Wang Fang stepped forward and said, “That is not a good plan. We ask to borrow ten thousand elite troops. We will immediately cut off the heads of Ma Teng and Han Sui and present them beneath your command banner.” Jia Xu said, “If you fight now, you are certain to suffer defeat.” Li Meng and Wang Fang said together, “If the two of us are defeated, we willingly submit to beheading. But if we win, you must also surrender your head to us.” Jia Xu said to Li Jue and Guo Si, “Two hundred li west of Chang’an stands Mount Zhouzhi, where the road is rugged and dangerous. Generals Zhang Ji and Fan Chou should be ordered to station troops there, fortify their camps, and hold their ground. Li Meng and Wang Fang may then lead their own troops out to meet the enemy.” Li Jue and Guo Si followed his advice and assigned fifteen thousand troops and horsemen to Li Meng and Wang Fang. The two went away delighted and established camp two hundred and eighty li from Chang’an.

When the Xiliang army arrived, the two men led their troops forward to meet it. The Xiliang forces blocked the road and formed their battle lines. Ma Teng and Han Sui rode out side by side, pointed at Li Meng and Wang Fang, and cursed them: “Traitors against the state! Who will capture them?” Before they had finished speaking, a young general appeared. His face was like fine jade beneath a ceremonial cap, and his eyes were like shooting stars. He had the body of a tiger, the arms of an ape, the belly of a leopard, and the waist of a wolf. Holding a long spear and riding a fine horse, he flew out from the formation. This commander was Ma Teng’s son Ma Chao, styled Mengqi. He was only seventeen years old, but his courage was unmatched. Wang Fang despised him for his youth and spurred forward to engage him. They had fought fewer than several bouts when Ma Chao thrust him from his horse with a single spear stroke. Ma Chao then reined in his horse and turned back. Seeing that Wang Fang had been stabbed to death, Li Meng galloped after Ma Chao from behind. Ma Chao pretended not to know. At the front of the formation, Ma Teng shouted, “Someone is chasing you from behind!” Before his voice had died away, Ma Chao had already seized Li Meng and carried him across his horse. Ma Chao had known perfectly well that Li Meng was pursuing him, but had deliberately delayed. When Li Meng’s horse came close and he thrust with his spear, Ma Chao twisted aside. Li Meng struck empty air, and as the two horses came abreast, Ma Chao lightly extended his ape-like arm and captured him alive. Left without commanders, the soldiers fled at the mere sight of the enemy. Ma Teng and Han Sui took advantage of the moment and pursued them with great slaughter, winning a complete victory. They advanced directly to the pass and made camp below it, then beheaded Li Meng and displayed his head as a warning.

When Li Jue and Guo Si learned that Li Meng and Wang Fang had both been killed by Ma Chao, they finally believed that Jia Xu possessed foresight and relied heavily on his plan. They concentrated only on firmly defending the pass. No matter how the enemy challenged them, they would not come out to meet them. Sure enough, before two months had passed, the Xiliang army had exhausted all its grain and fodder and began discussing withdrawal. Just then, a servant from Ma Yu’s household in Chang’an came forward and accused his master, Liu Fan, and Chong Shao of forming outside connections with Ma Teng and Han Sui and planning to support them from within. Li Jue and Guo Si were furious. They arrested everyone in all three households, young and old, free and slave, and beheaded them in the marketplace. They then carried the three men’s heads straight to the gate and displayed them as a warning. Seeing that their military provisions were exhausted and their internal supporters had been exposed, Ma Teng and Han Sui had no choice but to strike camp and withdraw. Li Jue and Guo Si ordered Zhang Ji to lead troops in pursuit of Ma Teng and Fan Chou to lead troops in pursuit of Han Sui. The Xiliang army suffered a great defeat. Ma Chao fought desperately in the rear and drove Zhang Ji back. Fan Chou pursued Han Sui and was just about to overtake him near Chencang when Han Sui reined in his horse and said to Fan Chou, “You and I come from the same homeland. Why are you so heartless today?” Fan Chou also reined in his horse and replied, “Orders from above cannot be disobeyed!” Han Sui said, “I too came here for the sake of the state. Why must you press me so relentlessly?” After hearing this, Fan Chou turned his horse around, recalled his troops to camp, and allowed Han Sui to escape.

But Li Jue’s nephew Li Bie had seen Fan Chou release Han Sui, and he returned and reported it to his uncle. Li Jue was furious and immediately wanted to raise troops against Fan Chou. Jia Xu said, “The people’s hearts are not yet settled. It would be deeply unwise to resort to arms again and again. It would be better to arrange a banquet and invite Zhang Ji and Fan Chou to celebrate their victory. You can seize Fan Chou and behead him at the feast without the slightest effort.” Li Jue was delighted. He arranged a banquet and invited Zhang Ji and Fan Chou. The two commanders gladly attended. When the drinking was half over, Li Jue suddenly changed expression and said, “Why did Fan Chou secretly communicate with Han Sui and plot rebellion?” Fan Chou was horrified. Before he could reply, executioners armed with swords and axes rushed out and beheaded him beneath the banquet table. Zhang Ji was so frightened that he prostrated himself on the ground. Li Jue helped him up and said, “Fan Chou plotted rebellion, and so I executed him. You are my trusted confidant. Why should you be afraid?” He transferred Fan Chou’s troops to Zhang Ji’s command. Zhang Ji then returned to Hongnong.

After Li Jue and Guo Si defeated the Xiliang army, none of the lords dared challenge them. Jia Xu repeatedly urged them to soothe the people and form ties with worthy men and heroes. From then on, the imperial court showed a slight return of life. Unexpectedly, the Yellow Turbans rose again in Qing Province. They gathered several hundred thousand followers under various leaders and plundered innocent people. Grand Coachman Zhu Jun recommended a man who could destroy the entire band of rebels. Li Jue and Guo Si asked who he was. Zhu Jun said, “No one but Cao Mengde can destroy the rebel bands east of the mountains.” Li Jue said, “Where is Mengde now?” Zhu Jun said, “He is now Administrator of Dong Commandery and commands a large army. If this man is ordered to attack the rebels, they can be destroyed by an appointed date.” Li Jue was delighted. That very night he hastily drafted an imperial edict and sent a messenger to carry it to Dong Commandery, ordering Cao Cao and Bao Xin, Chancellor of Jibei, to destroy the rebels together.

Cao Cao received the imperial edict, joined forces with Bao Xin, and raised troops with him to attack the rebels at Shouyang. Bao Xin fought his way deep into the enemy position and was killed by the rebels. Cao Cao pursued the rebel troops as far as Jibei, where tens of thousands surrendered. Cao Cao immediately used the surrendered rebels as his vanguard. Wherever his army went, everyone submitted. In little more than a hundred days, he accepted the surrender of more than three hundred thousand soldiers and over a million men and women. Cao Cao selected the strongest and most capable among them and called them the “Qingzhou Troops.” He ordered all the rest to return to farming. From then on, Cao Cao’s power and reputation grew daily. When the report of victory reached Chang’an, the court promoted Cao Cao to General Who Guards the East.

While in Yan Province, Cao Cao recruited worthy and talented men. An uncle and nephew came to join him. The uncle was from Yingyin in Yingchuan. His surname was Xun, his personal name Yu, and his style Wenruo. He was the son of Xun Kun. He had formerly served Yuan Shao but had now left Yuan Shao to join Cao Cao. Cao Cao was delighted after speaking with him and said, “This man is my Zhang Liang!” He then appointed Xun Yu Marching Army Major. Xun Yu’s nephew was Xun You, styled Gongda, a famous scholar throughout the realm. He had once been appointed Gentleman Attendant at the Yellow Gate, but later resigned his office and returned home. Now he joined Cao Cao together with his uncle, and Cao Cao made him Instructor to the Marching Army. Xun Yu said, “I have heard that there is a worthy scholar in Yan Province, but I do not know where he is now.” Cao Cao asked who it was. Xun Yu said, “He is from Dong’e in Dong Commandery. His surname is Cheng, his personal name Yu, and his style Zhongde.” Cao Cao said, “I too have heard his name for a long time.” He therefore sent men to inquire about him in his home district. They learned that he was studying in the mountains, and Cao Cao respectfully invited him to come. When Cheng Yu arrived, Cao Cao was delighted. Cheng Yu said to Xun Yu, “I am a lonely, ill-informed man with little learning, and I am not worthy of your recommendation. A man from your own district has the surname Guo, the personal name Jia, and the style Fengxiao. He is a worthy scholar of the present age. Why do you not seek him out and bring him here?” Xun Yu suddenly remembered and said, “I nearly forgot him!” He then urged Cao Cao to summon Guo Jia to Yan Province. Together they discussed the affairs of the empire. Guo Jia recommended a direct descendant of Emperor Guangwu from Chengde in Huainan. His surname was Liu, his personal name Ye, and his style Ziyang. Cao Cao immediately invited Liu Ye to come. Liu Ye in turn recommended two men. One was from Changyi in Shanyang. His surname was Man, his personal name Chong, and his style Boning. The other was from Wucheng. His surname was Lü, his personal name Qian, and his style Zike. Cao Cao had long known of the reputations of both men, so he invited them to serve as officers in his army. Man Chong and Lü Qian jointly recommended another man, from Pingqiu in Chenliu. His surname was Mao, his personal name Jie, and his style Xiaoxian. Cao Cao also invited him to serve as an officer. Another commander came with several hundred soldiers to join Cao Cao. He was from Juping in Taishan. His surname was Yu, his personal name Jin, and his style Wenze. Cao Cao saw that he was thoroughly skilled in archery and horsemanship and outstanding in martial arts, so he appointed him Major in Charge of the Army.

One day, Xiahou Dun brought a large, powerfully built man to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao asked who he was. Xiahou Dun said, “This man is from Chenliu. His surname is Dian, his personal name Wei, and his courage and strength surpass those of ordinary men. He formerly served Zhang Miao, but he quarreled with men under Zhang Miao’s command, killed several dozen of them with his own hands, and fled into the mountains. While I was out hunting, I saw Dian Wei chase a deer across a mountain stream, so I took him into my army. I have now brought him especially to recommend him to you.” Cao Cao said, “From his towering and powerful appearance, I can see that he must possess great courage and strength.” Xiahou Dun said, “He once killed a man to avenge a friend, carried the man’s head straight through a crowded marketplace, and several hundred people did not dare approach him. The two iron halberds he now uses weigh eighty jin. He carries them under his arms while mounting his horse and wields them as though they were flying.” Cao Cao immediately ordered Dian Wei to demonstrate. Carrying the halberds under his arms, Dian Wei spurred his horse and galloped back and forth. Suddenly the great banner before Cao Cao’s tent was caught by the wind and seemed about to topple. A group of soldiers tried to hold it steady but could not. Dian Wei dismounted, shouted at the soldiers to stand back, and grasped the banner pole with one hand. He stood in the wind, lofty and unmoving. Cao Cao said, “This is the E Lai of ancient times!” He appointed Dian Wei Commandant Before the Tent, took off his own brocade coat, and presented it to him together with a fine horse and carved saddle.

From then on, Cao Cao had wise strategists among his civil officers and fierce commanders among his military officers, and his power overawed the lands east of the mountains. He sent Ying Shao, Administrator of Taishan, to Langya Commandery to welcome his father, Cao Song. Cao Song had fled the troubles in Chenliu and was living in seclusion in Langya. When he received the letter, he immediately set out for Yan Province with his younger brother Cao De, more than forty members of his household, young and old, over a hundred attendants, and more than a hundred carts. Their route passed through Xu Province. Tao Qian, Administrator of Xu Province, was styled Gongzu. He was gentle, generous, sincere, and honest. He had long wished to form friendly relations with Cao Cao but had never found an opportunity. When he learned that Cao Cao’s father was passing through, he went beyond the border to welcome him, bowed twice to show his respect, arranged a great feast, and entertained him generously for two days. When Cao Song wished to continue his journey, Tao Qian personally escorted him beyond the city walls and specially assigned Commandant Zhang Kai and five hundred soldiers to guard him on his way.

Cao Song led his household onward until they reached the area between Hua and Fei. It was the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and a sudden heavy rain began to fall. They had no choice but to seek lodging in an old temple. The monks admitted them, and Cao Song settled his family there and ordered Zhang Kai to station his soldiers in the two side galleries. All the soldiers’ clothes and equipment were soaked by the rain, and they complained together. Zhang Kai summoned his subordinate leaders to a secluded place and said, “We were originally remnants of the Yellow Turbans and only reluctantly surrendered to Tao Qian. We have gained nothing from it. Cao Song now has countless baggage carts and wagons. If you want wealth and rank, it will not be difficult. At the third watch tonight, we will all cut our way inside, kill Cao Song and his whole family, seize their property, and go into the mountains together to become outlaws. What do you think of this plan?” They all agreed. That night the wind and rain had not ceased. Cao Song was sitting inside when he suddenly heard shouting rise on every side. Cao De went out with his sword to see what was happening and was immediately stabbed to death. Cao Song hurriedly took one of his concubines into the rear of the abbot’s quarters and tried to escape over the wall. The concubine was too fat to get over it. In his panic, Cao Song hid with her in a latrine, where the disorderly soldiers killed them. Ying Shao fought desperately and escaped with his life, then went to join Yuan Shao. Zhang Kai killed Cao Song’s entire household, seized the property, set fire to the temple, and fled toward Huainan with his five hundred men. A later poet wrote:

The world praises Cao Cao as a crafty hero;He once killed the entire household of Lü.Now his whole house has met death at others’ hands:Heaven’s justice turns in a circle and never fails to repay.

Some soldiers under Ying Shao who had escaped with their lives went and reported the matter to Cao Cao. When Cao Cao heard, he wept and collapsed to the ground. Those around him helped him up. Grinding his teeth, Cao Cao said, “Tao Qian let his soldiers kill my father. This hatred cannot exist beneath the same sky! I will now raise my entire army and scour Xu Province clean. Only then will my hatred be avenged!” He left Xun Yu and Cheng Yu with thirty thousand troops to defend the three counties of Juancheng, Fan, and Dong’e, and led all the rest in a fierce advance on Xu Province. Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, and Dian Wei formed the vanguard. Cao Cao ordered that whenever they captured a city, they were to massacre every common person within it to avenge his father.

At that time, Bian Rang, Administrator of Jiujiang, was a close friend of Tao Qian. When he heard that Xu Province was in danger, he personally led five thousand troops to its aid. Cao Cao was furious when he learned of this and sent Xiahou Dun to intercept and kill him on the road. At the time, Chen Gong was serving as an officer in Dong Commandery, and he too was a close friend of Tao Qian. When he heard that Cao Cao had raised an army to avenge himself and intended to kill all the common people, he traveled day and night to see him. Cao Cao knew that he had come to argue Tao Qian’s case and at first did not wish to see him. Yet he could not erase the debt of their former friendship, so he had no choice but to invite him into the command tent. Chen Gong said, “I now hear that you, illustrious lord, are bringing a great army against Xu Province to avenge your honored father and intend to kill all the common people wherever you go. I have therefore come especially to offer you advice. Tao Qian is a benevolent and honorable man, not one who forgets righteousness for profit. Your honored father’s death was Zhang Kai’s crime, not Tao Qian’s. Moreover, what grievance do you have against the people of the province and its counties? To kill them would bring misfortune. I hope you will think three times before acting.” Cao Cao angrily said, “You abandoned me and left in the past. What face do you have to come and see me again? Tao Qian killed my entire family. I have sworn to tear out his gallbladder and gouge out his heart to avenge my hatred! Though you have come to argue Tao Qian’s case, what can you do if I refuse to listen?” Chen Gong took his leave and came out, sighing, “I have no face to meet Tao Qian either!” He then spurred his horse away to join Zhang Miao, Administrator of Chenliu.

As Cao Cao’s great army advanced, it slaughtered the people and dug open graves wherever it went. In Xu Province, Tao Qian heard that Cao Cao had raised an army for revenge and was massacring the common people. He raised his face to Heaven and wept bitterly, saying, “I have sinned against Heaven and caused the people of Xu Province to suffer this great calamity!” He urgently assembled all his officials to discuss the matter. Cao Bao said, “Cao Cao’s army has already arrived. How can we simply bind our hands and wait for death? I am willing to help you defeat him.” Tao Qian had no choice but to lead his troops out to meet the enemy. From a distance, Cao Cao’s army looked like frost spread across the land and surging snow. In the central army stood two white banners bearing four large words: “Avenge Wrongs and Wipe Away Hatred.” The troops and cavalry formed their battle lines. Cao Cao spurred his horse out from the formation. Dressed from head to foot in white mourning clothes, he raised his whip and shouted curses. Tao Qian also rode out beneath the banners at the gate of his formation. He leaned forward in the saddle and saluted, saying, “I originally wished to form friendly relations with you, illustrious lord, and for that reason entrusted Zhang Kai with escorting your father. I never expected the villain’s heart to remain unchanged and bring about this disaster. It truly was not Tao Qian’s doing. I hope you, illustrious lord, will examine the facts.” Cao Cao cursed him furiously: “Old scoundrel! You killed my father and still dare talk nonsense! Who can capture this old villain alive?” Xiahou Dun answered the call and charged out. Tao Qian fled in alarm back into his formation. Xiahou Dun pursued him, but Cao Bao leveled his spear, spurred his horse, and came forward to meet him. Just as their horses crossed, a violent wind suddenly rose, driving sand through the air and sending stones rolling. Both armies fell into disorder, and each side withdrew its troops.

Tao Qian entered the city and discussed the situation with his officers, saying, “Cao Cao’s army is too powerful to resist. I should bind myself and go to Cao Cao’s camp, allowing him to cut me apart as he pleases, so that I may save the lives of the people of Xu Province.” Before he had finished speaking, one man stepped forward and said, “You, Governor, have governed Xu Province for many years, and the people are grateful for your kindness. Though Cao Cao’s army is large, it has not yet broken our city. You, Governor, and the people must hold the walls firmly and not go out. Though I have little ability, I am willing to employ a small plan that will leave Cao Cao without even a place to bury his body!” Everyone was astonished and asked what plan he would use. Truly:

He sought friendship but created hatred instead;Who knew that at the point of death, new life would appear?

Who was this man after all? Listen to the next chapter for the explanation.