Chapter 24

The State Traitor Murders the Imperial Consort; Liu Bei Flees Defeat and Seeks Yuan Shao

Now Cao Cao, having seen the edict concealed in the girdle, consulted with his advisers and proposed deposing Emperor Xian and choosing another man of virtue to set upon the throne. Cheng Yu remonstrated: “My lord, the reason you can awe the four quarters and issue commands throughout the realm is that you uphold the name of the House of Han. The feudal lords are not yet subdued. If you abruptly depose one emperor and enthrone another, you will surely provoke fresh warfare.” Cao Cao therefore abandoned the idea. He merely had Dong Cheng and the other four men, together with every member of their families, old and young, taken to the several city gates and beheaded. More than seven hundred people died. None among the officials and common people who witnessed it could refrain from tears. A later poet lamented Dong Cheng:

The secret edict passed within a girdle;The Son of Heaven’s words left the forbidden gates.Once, in years gone by, he rescued the imperial carriage;Now once again he bore his sovereign’s grace.Grief for the state became a sickness of the heart;The dream of slaying traitors haunted his soul.His loyal constancy lives through all the ages—Who now shall judge success or failure?

Another poem laments Wang Zifu and the other three:

Their names inscribed on silk, they pledged a loyal plan,Resolved with ardent courage to repay their lord and father.Alas, their faithful valor cost a hundred lives;Yet their true hearts shall shine a thousand autumns.

After Cao Cao had slain Dong Cheng and all the others, his anger was still unappeased. Sword in hand, he entered the palace to murder Noble Consort Dong. The consort was Dong Cheng’s younger sister and enjoyed the Emperor’s favor; she was five months pregnant. That day the Emperor was in the inner palace, privately discussing Dong Cheng’s affair with Empress Fu, for as yet they had received no word of what had happened. Suddenly Cao Cao appeared, entering the palace with sword in hand and fury on his face. The Emperor turned pale with terror.

“Dong Cheng plotted rebellion,” said Cao Cao. “Did Your Majesty know of it?”

“Dong Zhuo was executed long ago,” replied the Emperor.

“Not Dong Zhuo!” Cao Cao shouted. “Dong Cheng!”

Trembling, the Emperor said, “We truly knew nothing of it.”

“Have you forgotten cutting your finger and writing the edict?” Cao Cao demanded.

The Emperor could make no answer. Cao Cao barked an order to the guards, who seized Consort Dong and brought her before him.

“Consort Dong is five months with child,” the Emperor pleaded. “I beg the Prime Minister to show mercy.”

“Had Heaven not brought their plot to ruin, I would already have been slain,” Cao Cao replied. “How could I leave this woman alive to become a future scourge?”

Empress Fu pleaded, “Banish her to the cold palace. It will not be too late to kill her after she has given birth.”

“Would you preserve this rebel seed so that it may avenge its mother?” said Cao Cao.

Consort Dong wept and implored him: “I beg only to die with my body whole. Do not leave me exposed to shame.”

Cao Cao ordered a length of white silk brought before her. Weeping, the Emperor said to the consort, “When you are beneath the Nine Springs, do not blame your sovereign!” As he finished speaking, his tears fell like rain. Empress Fu, too, wept aloud.

“Would you still indulge in such womanish sentiment?” Cao Cao cried angrily.

He ordered the guards to drag Consort Dong away, and she was strangled outside the palace gate. A later poet lamented her:

In vain she won imperial favor in the springtime halls;Alas, the dragon seed perished with her on that day.The august sovereign could not save his own,But hid his face and helpless watched the streaming tears.

Cao Cao instructed the palace wardens: “Henceforth, if any member of an imperial in-law’s clan enters the palace gates without my command, he is to be beheaded. If the guards fail in vigilance, they shall suffer the same punishment.” He then assigned three thousand of his trusted men to serve as the Imperial Guard and placed them under Cao Hong’s command, that they might keep watch over the palace.

Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu, “Though Dong Cheng and the others have now been executed, Ma Teng and Liu Bei were also numbered among the conspirators. They too must be removed.”

“Ma Teng’s army is stationed in Xiliang,” Cheng Yu replied, “and he cannot be attacked lightly. You should merely send him a letter of praise and reassurance, so that he entertains no suspicions, then entice him into the capital and dispose of him there. As for Liu Bei, he is now in Xuzhou, where his forces are deployed in mutually supporting positions. He too must not be underestimated. Moreover, Yuan Shao has stationed troops at Guandu and constantly harbors designs upon Xuchang. If you march east against Liu Bei, Liu Bei will certainly seek aid from Yuan Shao. Should Shao then take advantage of your absence to attack, how will you withstand him?”

“No,” said Cao Cao. “Liu Bei is a hero among men. If I do not strike him now, once his wings are fully grown he will be exceedingly difficult to overcome. Yuan Shao may be powerful, but he is ever suspicious and indecisive. Why should I fear him?”

While they were still deliberating, Guo Jia entered from outside. Cao Cao asked him, “I wish to march east against Liu Bei, but Yuan Shao gives me cause for concern. What should I do?”

“Yuan Shao is sluggish by nature and full of suspicion,” Guo Jia replied. “His advisers are all jealous of one another, so he need not be feared. Liu Bei has only recently reorganized his army, and the hearts of his men are not yet settled. If the Prime Minister leads an army eastward, a single battle will decide the matter.”

Cao Cao was delighted. “That accords perfectly with my own thought.”

He therefore raised a great army of two hundred thousand, divided it into five columns, and marched upon Xuzhou.

Scouts learned of the movement and carried word to Xuzhou. Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to inform Lord Guan, then proceeded to Xiaopei to report to Xuande. Xuande took counsel with Sun Qian and said, “Only by seeking aid from Yuan Shao can we escape this danger.”

Xuande accordingly wrote a letter and sent Sun Qian to Hebei. Sun Qian first called upon Tian Feng, explained the entire affair, and asked to be presented. Tian Feng at once brought him before Yuan Shao and submitted the letter. They found Yuan Shao haggard in appearance, with his robes and cap disordered.

“Why does my lord look like this today?” Tian Feng asked.

“I am about to die!” said Yuan Shao.

“Why does my lord say such a thing?”

“I have five sons, but only the youngest is wholly pleasing to me. He has now been stricken with the mange, and his life hangs by a thread. How can I have the heart to discuss any other matter?”

“Cao Cao has now marched east against Liu Xuande,” said Tian Feng, “leaving Xuchang empty. If we lead a righteous army into that undefended city, we may above safeguard the Son of Heaven and below rescue the myriad people. Such an opportunity is not easily gained. I beg my enlightened lord to decide.”

“I too know this is the finest opportunity,” Yuan Shao replied. “But my mind is so distracted that I fear the expedition would meet with misfortune.”

“What cause have you for such distraction?” asked Tian Feng.

“Of my five sons, this one alone is of extraordinary promise. If anything should befall him, my own life is over.”

He therefore resolved not to send troops, and said to Sun Qian, “Return to Xuande and explain the reason. If matters go badly for him, he may come and join me. I shall find means to assist him then.”

Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and cried, “At this rare and precious moment, he sacrifices the opportunity because of an infant’s illness! The great cause is lost! How bitterly regrettable!” Stamping his foot, he heaved a long sigh and departed.

When Sun Qian saw that Yuan Shao refused to send troops, he had no choice but to hurry back through the night to Xiaopei. There he met Xuande and gave him a full account of what had happened.

Xuande was greatly alarmed. “What are we to do now?”

“Brother, do not worry,” said Zhang Fei. “Cao Cao’s troops have come from afar and must be weary. If we attack their camp as soon as they arrive, we can defeat him.”

“I always took you for no more than a valiant warrior,” said Xuande. “Yet when you captured Liu Dai, you showed considerable skill in strategy, and this plan of yours also accords with the principles of war.”

He therefore accepted Zhang Fei’s advice and divided his forces for a night attack upon Cao Cao’s camp.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao was leading his army toward Xiaopei. As they marched, a violent wind suddenly arose. With a sharp crack, one of his tasseled standards snapped in two. Cao Cao immediately ordered the army to halt, assembled his advisers, and asked whether the omen was auspicious or ill.

“From what direction did the wind come?” asked Xun Yu. “And what color was the standard it broke?”

“The wind came from the southeast,” Cao Cao replied, “and broke the tasseled standard at the corner of the formation. The banner was blue and red.”

“It signifies nothing else,” said Xun Yu. “Liu Bei will certainly come to raid our camp tonight.”

Cao Cao nodded. Just then Mao Jie entered and said, “A southeast wind rose a moment ago and broke a blue-and-red tasseled standard. What good or evil does my lord believe it portends?”

“What is your own opinion?” Cao Cao asked.

“In my humble judgment, it means that someone will certainly come to raid our camp tonight.”

A later poet lamented:

Alas, the imperial scion stood isolated and hard-pressed,His only hope a divided force to raid the camp.But the broken standard had already given warning—Why did Heaven grant such license to the crafty hero?

“Heaven has sent this warning to aid me,” said Cao Cao. “We must prepare at once.”

He divided his army into nine divisions. One alone was left in front to set up a false encampment, while the other eight lay in ambush on every side. That night the moon shone faintly. Xuande on the left and Zhang Fei on the right advanced in two separate columns, leaving only Sun Qian to defend Xiaopei.

Zhang Fei, convinced that his plan would succeed, led a force of light cavalry in the vanguard and burst into Cao Cao’s camp. But he saw only a few scattered soldiers and no large body of men. Suddenly fires blazed on every side and battle cries rose together. Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Zhang Fei hastened out of the camp.

From due east came Zhang Liao; from due west, Xu Chu; from the south, Yu Jin; from the north, Li Dian; from the southeast, Xu Huang; from the southwest, Yue Jin; from the northeast, Xiahou Dun; and from the northwest, Xiahou Yuan. Eight armies closed in upon him. Zhang Fei charged left and right, warding off attacks from front and rear. The troops under his command had originally belonged to Cao Cao, and when they saw the desperate turn of events, they all surrendered.

As Zhang Fei fought on, he encountered Xu Huang and battled him fiercely for a time; then Yue Jin came pressing up from behind. Zhang Fei hacked open a blood-soaked path, broke through the encirclement, and escaped, but only a few dozen horsemen remained with him. He wished to return to Xiaopei, but the road had already been cut. He thought of fleeing to Xuzhou or Xiapi, but feared Cao Cao’s forces would intercept him. Finding no other way, he could only make for Mount Mangdang.

Xuande, meanwhile, led his troops to raid Cao Cao’s camp. As he drew near the camp gate, a tremendous roar arose, and a body of troops charged from behind, cutting off half his force. Xiahou Dun then arrived. Xuande broke through the encirclement and fled, but Xiahou Yuan came pursuing from the rear.

Looking back, Xuande saw that only some thirty horsemen still followed him. He urgently sought to return to Xiaopei, but already he could see flames rising within the city. Forced to abandon Xiaopei, he intended to flee to Xuzhou or Xiapi, only to find Cao Cao’s soldiers covering the hills and filling the countryside, blocking every road.

Seeing no place to which he could retreat, Xuande thought, “Yuan Shao said, ‘If matters go badly, you may come and join me.’ I had better seek refuge with him for the present and devise some better plan later.”

He therefore rode toward the road to Qingzhou, only to encounter Li Dian barring the way. Alone on a single horse, Xuande fled north across the open country, while Li Dian captured all the riders who had followed him.

Xuande rode alone toward Qingzhou, covering three hundred li a day. Upon reaching the walls of Qingzhou, he called for the gate to be opened. The gatekeeper asked his name and went to report to the Inspector. The Inspector was Yuan Shao’s eldest son, Yuan Tan.

Yuan Tan had always revered Xuande. When he learned that Xuande had arrived alone, he immediately opened the gate to welcome him, brought him into the government offices, and questioned him closely about what had happened. Xuande fully related his defeat and explained that he had come to seek refuge. Yuan Tan lodged him in the official posthouse and dispatched a letter to his father, Yuan Shao. At the same time, he assigned troops from the province to escort Xuande onward.

When they reached the border of Pingyuan, Yuan Shao personally led his retinue thirty li out from Ye Commandery to welcome Xuande. Xuande bowed in thanks, but Yuan Shao hastened to return the courtesy.

“Yesterday, because my young son fell ill, I failed to send aid,” said Yuan Shao. “The thought has left me distressed and uneasy. Now, fortunately, we have met, greatly comforting the longing I have felt all my life.”

“I, Liu Bei, am alone and destitute,” Xuande replied. “For a long time I have wished to place myself under your protection, but the opportunity never arose. Now Cao Cao has attacked me, and my wives and children have all fallen into his hands. Knowing that you, General, receive worthy men from every quarter, I have put aside all shame and come directly to seek refuge. I beg you to accept me. I swear that I shall find a way to repay your kindness.”

Yuan Shao was overjoyed and treated him with the greatest generosity. Xuande then took up residence with him in Jizhou.

That same night, Cao Cao captured Xiaopei and immediately advanced upon Xuzhou. Mi Zhu and Jian Yong were unable to hold the city and had no choice but to abandon it and flee. Chen Deng surrendered Xuzhou. Cao Cao’s great army entered the city, and once he had pacified the inhabitants, he summoned his advisers to discuss the capture of Xiapi.

“Yun Chang is protecting Xuande’s wives and family and will defend the city to the death,” said Xun Yu. “If we do not take it quickly, I fear Yuan Shao may seize it first.”

“I have always admired Yun Chang’s martial skill and character,” said Cao Cao, “and wish to gain his service. Would it not be better to send someone to persuade him to surrender?”

“Yun Chang’s sense of honor is profound,” said Guo Jia. “He will certainly refuse to surrender. If anyone is sent to persuade him, I fear Yun Chang will kill him.”

A man stepped forward from below the command dais and said, “I have met Lord Guan before. I am willing to go and persuade him.”

All looked and saw that it was Zhang Liao.

“Though Wenyuan has an old acquaintance with Yun Chang,” said Cheng Yu, “I judge that this man cannot be won over by words alone. I have a plan that will leave him no path either forward or back. If Wenyuan then speaks to him, he will surely submit to the Prime Minister.”

Just so:

They set the hidden bow to shoot the savage tiger,And bait the scented hook to catch the giant turtle.

What the plan was remains unknown; read the next chapter to learn how the story unfolds.

The State Traitor Murders the Imperial Consort; Liu Bei Flees Defeat and Seeks Yuan Shao

When Cao Cao saw the secret edict hidden in the girdle, he consulted with his advisers, intending to depose Emperor Xian and choose another man of virtue to place on the throne. Cheng Yu remonstrated, “My lord has been able to awe the four quarters and issue commands throughout the realm because you uphold the name of the House of Han. The other lords have not yet been subdued. If you abruptly depose one emperor and enthrone another, you will certainly provoke war.” Cao Cao therefore abandoned the idea. He merely had Dong Cheng and the other five men, together with every member of their families, young and old, taken to the various city gates and executed. More than seven hundred people died. Not one of the officials and commoners in the city who witnessed it failed to shed tears. A later poet lamented Dong Cheng:

The secret edict passed within a girdle,The Son of Heaven’s words left the palace gate.In former years he once rescued the sovereign;On this day he received imperial favor once more.Concern for the realm became a sickness of the heart;The destruction of traitors entered even his dreams.His loyalty and constancy endure through all the ages—Who now need speak of his success or failure?

There is also a poem lamenting Wang Zifu and the other three:

Their names upon a silken letter pledged them to a loyal plan;With fervent hearts they sought to repay their sovereign and father.Pitifully, their faithful courage sacrificed a hundred lives;Yet their loyal hearts will surely endure a thousand autumns.

After Cao Cao had killed Dong Cheng and all the others, his anger still had not subsided. Carrying his sword, he entered the palace to kill Imperial Consort Dong. The consort was Dong Cheng’s younger sister. She was favored by the Emperor and was five months pregnant. That day the Emperor was in the inner palace, privately discussing Dong Cheng’s affair with Empress Fu, for they had still heard no news of him. Suddenly they saw Cao Cao enter the palace with a sword at his side and anger on his face. The Emperor turned pale with fright. Cao Cao said, “Dong Cheng plotted rebellion. Did Your Majesty know of it?”

“Dong Zhuo has already been put to death,” said the Emperor.

Cao Cao shouted, “Not Dong Zhuo! Dong Cheng!”

Trembling, the Emperor said, “We truly knew nothing of it.”

“Have you forgotten cutting your finger and writing the edict in blood?” Cao Cao asked.

The Emperor could not answer. Cao Cao ordered the armed guards to seize Consort Dong and bring her before him. The Emperor pleaded, “Consort Dong is five months pregnant. I beg the Prime Minister to show mercy.”

Cao Cao said, “Had Heaven not brought the plot to ruin, I would already have been murdered. How could I leave this woman alive to become a future danger to me?”

Empress Fu pleaded, “Demote her to the cold palace. It will not be too late to kill her after she gives birth.”

Cao Cao said, “Would you keep this rebel offspring alive to avenge its mother?”

Consort Dong wept and pleaded, “I beg only to die with my body intact and not be exposed before the public.”

Cao Cao ordered white silk brought before her. Weeping, the Emperor said to the consort, “When you are beneath the Nine Springs, do not blame us!” When he had spoken, his tears fell like rain. Empress Fu also wept bitterly.

Cao Cao angrily said, “Are you still indulging in such sentimental displays?” He ordered the armed guards to drag Consort Dong outside and strangle her beyond the palace gate. A later poet lamented Consort Dong:

The favor she received within the springtime palace was all in vain;Alas, the imperial child perished with her on that very day.The mighty Son of Heaven could not save her,But covered his face and helplessly watched his tears pour forth.

Cao Cao instructed the officials guarding the palace, “From now on, any imperial in-law or member of the imperial clan who enters the palace gates without my authorization shall be beheaded. If the guards are lax, they shall be guilty of the same crime.” He then assigned three thousand of his trusted men to serve as the Imperial Guard and placed them under Cao Hong’s command to keep watch. Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu, “Though Dong Cheng and the others have now been executed, Ma Teng and Liu Bei were also involved in this affair. They must be eliminated.”

Cheng Yu said, “Ma Teng has his army stationed in Xiliang and cannot be attacked lightly. You should send him a letter of reassurance so that he does not become suspicious, then lure him into the capital and deal with him there. As for Liu Bei, he is now in Xuzhou, with his forces deployed in mutually supporting positions. He, too, must not be underestimated. Moreover, Yuan Shao has stationed his troops at Guandu and constantly harbors designs against Xudu. If we march east against Liu Bei, he will certainly seek Yuan Shao’s aid. If Yuan Shao takes advantage of our absence to attack, how will we resist him?”

Cao Cao said, “No. Liu Bei is an outstanding man. If we do not attack him now and wait until his wings are fully grown, it will be difficult to deal with him quickly. Yuan Shao may be powerful, but he is suspicious and indecisive in everything he does. Why should we fear him?”

While they were still discussing the matter, Guo Jia entered from outside. Cao Cao asked him, “I want to march east against Liu Bei, but I am concerned about Yuan Shao. What should I do?”

Guo Jia said, “Yuan Shao is slow by nature and full of suspicion, while his advisers are mutually jealous. He is nothing to worry about. Liu Bei has only recently reorganized his army, and his men’s allegiance is not yet firm. If the Prime Minister leads an army east against him, a single battle will settle the matter.”

Cao Cao was delighted. “That is precisely what I had in mind.”

He then raised an army of two hundred thousand men, divided it into five columns, and marched on Xuzhou.

When the scouts learned of this, they reported it to Xuzhou. Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to inform Guan Yu, then proceeded to Xiaopei to inform Liu Bei. Liu Bei consulted with Sun Qian and said, “Only by appealing to Yuan Shao for aid can we escape this danger.”

Liu Bei therefore wrote a letter and sent Sun Qian to Hebei. Sun Qian first went to see Tian Feng, explained the entire situation, and asked him for an introduction. Tian Feng immediately brought Sun Qian in to see Yuan Shao and presented the letter. Yuan Shao appeared haggard, and his clothing and cap were in disorder.

Tian Feng asked, “My lord, why do you look like this today?”

“I am about to die!” Yuan Shao replied.

“Why does my lord say such a thing?”

“I have five sons, and the youngest is the only one who pleases me completely. Now he is suffering from scabies and is at death’s door. How could I have the heart to discuss any other matter?”

Tian Feng said, “Cao Cao has now marched east against Liu Bei, leaving Xuchang empty. If we send a righteous army into that void, we can protect the Son of Heaven above and rescue the common people below. Such an opportunity is not easily found. I ask only that my lord decide.”

“I, too, know this is an excellent opportunity,” said Yuan Shao, “but my mind is in turmoil, and I fear something may go wrong.”

“What is there to be troubled about?” Tian Feng asked.

“Of my five sons, this one alone is exceptionally gifted. If anything should happen to him, my own life would be over.”

Yuan Shao firmly resolved not to send troops. He said to Sun Qian, “Return to Liu Bei and explain the reason. If matters do not go as he wishes, he may come and join me. I will find a way to assist him then.”

Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and said, “At such a rare and precious moment, he throws away this opportunity because of an infant’s illness! The great cause is lost! How bitterly regrettable!” Stamping his feet, he heaved a long sigh and departed.

When Sun Qian saw that Yuan Shao refused to send troops, he had no choice but to hurry back to Xiaopei through the night. He went to Liu Bei and gave him a full account of the matter. Liu Bei was greatly alarmed.

“What are we to do now?” he asked.

Zhang Fei said, “Brother, do not worry. Cao Cao’s army has come from far away and is certain to be exhausted. We can take advantage of its recent arrival by raiding its camp first. In this way we can defeat Cao Cao.”

Liu Bei said, “I have always regarded you as merely a brave warrior. Yet when you captured Liu Dai, you showed considerable skill in using strategy. This plan you now propose also accords with the principles of war.”

He therefore followed Zhang Fei’s advice and divided his troops for a raid on Cao Cao’s camp.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao was leading his army toward Xiaopei. As they marched, a violent wind suddenly arose. There was a sharp crack, and one of his toothed command standards snapped. Cao Cao at once ordered the army to halt, gathered his advisers, and asked whether the omen was auspicious or ominous.

Xun Yu asked, “From which direction did the wind come, and what color was the standard it broke?”

Cao Cao said, “The wind came from the southeast. It broke a toothed standard at the corner of the camp, and the standard was blue and red.”

Xun Yu said, “It portends nothing else: Liu Bei will certainly come to raid our camp tonight.”

Cao Cao nodded. Just then Mao Jie entered and said, “A moment ago a southeast wind arose and broke a blue-and-red toothed standard. What good or ill does my lord believe this foretells?”

“What do you think?” Cao Cao asked.

“In my humble opinion,” said Mao Jie, “it certainly foretells that someone will come to raid our camp tonight.”

A later poet lamented:

Alas, the imperial scion stood isolated and distressed,Relying wholly on divided forces to raid the enemy camp.But how could he prevail when the broken standard gave warning?Why did Heaven itself allow the treacherous hero to triumph?

Cao Cao said, “Heaven has given me warning. We must guard against the attack at once.” He divided his army into nine units, leaving only one unit ahead to set up a false camp while the other eight lay in ambush on every side. That night the moon shone faintly. Liu Bei took the left and Zhang Fei the right, advancing in two separate forces, while Sun Qian alone remained behind to defend Xiaopei.

Zhang Fei, believing his plan had succeeded, led his light cavalry in front and charged into Cao Cao’s camp. He saw only a few scattered soldiers and no great body of troops. Suddenly fires blazed up on every side and battle cries rang out together. Zhang Fei knew he had fallen into a trap and hastened out of the camp. Zhang Liao attacked from due east, Xu Chu from due west, Yu Jin from due south, Li Dian from due north, Xu Huang from the southeast, Yue Jin from the southwest, Xiahou Dun from the northeast, and Xiahou Yuan from the northwest. Eight armies closed in upon him.

Zhang Fei charged left and right, parrying attacks from both front and rear. The soldiers under his command had originally served in Cao Cao’s army, and when they saw how desperate the situation had become, they all surrendered. As Zhang Fei fought on, he encountered Xu Huang and battled fiercely with him, while Yue Jin came up from behind. Zhang Fei carved out a bloody path, broke through the encirclement, and escaped, with only a few dozen horsemen following him.

He wanted to return to Xiaopei, but the road had already been cut off. He considered heading for Xuzhou or Xiapi, but feared Cao Cao’s army would intercept him. Finding no other way, he had no choice but to head toward Mount Mangdang.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei led his force to raid the camp. Just as he approached its gate, thunderous battle cries erupted, and an army charged out behind him, cutting off half his troops. Xiahou Dun then arrived. Liu Bei broke through the encirclement and fled, but Xiahou Yuan pursued him from behind. Looking back, Liu Bei saw that only a little more than thirty horsemen remained with him.

He hurriedly attempted to return to Xiaopei, but he soon saw flames rising from within the city. He had no choice but to abandon Xiaopei and intended to head for Xuzhou or Xiapi. Yet he saw Cao Cao’s troops covering the hills and filling the countryside, blocking his way. Realizing that he had nowhere to go, Liu Bei thought, “Yuan Shao said, ‘If matters do not go as you wish, you may come and join me.’ I had better seek refuge with him for the time being and devise another sound plan later.”

He therefore fled toward the road to Qingzhou, but there he encountered Li Dian blocking his way. Alone on horseback, Liu Bei escaped across the open country and fled north, while Li Dian captured all the horsemen who had been following him.

Liu Bei rode alone toward Qingzhou, covering three hundred li in a day. When he reached the walls of Qingzhou, he called for the gate to be opened. The gate officer asked his name and went to report to the Inspector. The Inspector was Yuan Shao’s eldest son, Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan had always respected Liu Bei, and when he heard that Liu Bei had arrived alone on horseback, he immediately opened the gate to welcome him. He received him in the government offices and questioned him closely about what had happened.

Liu Bei gave a full account of his defeat and explained that he had come to seek refuge. Yuan Tan arranged for Liu Bei to stay at the posthouse and sent a letter to inform his father, Yuan Shao. At the same time, he dispatched troops from Qingzhou to escort Liu Bei. When Liu Bei reached the border of Pingyuan, Yuan Shao personally led his followers thirty li out from Ye Commandery to welcome him.

Liu Bei bowed in thanks, and Yuan Shao hurriedly returned the courtesy, saying, “Yesterday, because my young son was ill, I failed to send aid, and the thought has left me deeply distressed and uneasy. Now that I have had the good fortune to meet you, the longing I have felt all my life is greatly comforted.”

Liu Bei said, “I, the destitute and isolated Liu Bei, have long wished to enter your service, but the opportunity never arose. Now Cao Cao has attacked me, and my wife and children have all fallen into his hands. Knowing that you, General, welcome worthy men from every quarter, I have disregarded my shame and come directly to seek refuge with you. I beg you to accept me. I swear I will find a way to repay you.”

Yuan Shao was overjoyed. He treated Liu Bei with the greatest generosity, and together they went to Jizhou.

That same night, Cao Cao captured Xiaopei and immediately advanced to attack Xuzhou. Mi Zhu and Jian Yong were unable to hold the city and had no choice but to abandon it and flee. Chen Deng surrendered Xuzhou. Cao Cao’s great army entered the city, and after he had restored order among the people, he summoned his advisers to discuss the capture of Xiapi.

Xun Yu said, “Guan Yu is protecting Liu Bei’s wife and children and will defend the city to the death. If we do not take it quickly, I fear Yuan Shao may seize it first.”

Cao Cao said, “I have always admired Guan Yu’s martial skill and ability, and I want him in my service. We should send someone to persuade him to surrender.”

Guo Jia said, “Guan Yu possesses a profound sense of honor and loyalty. He will certainly refuse to surrender. If we send someone to persuade him, I fear he may kill the envoy.”

A man stepped out from below the command tent and said, “I have met Guan Yu before. I am willing to go and persuade him.”

Everyone looked and saw that it was Zhang Liao.

Cheng Yu said, “Although Wenyuan has a prior acquaintance with Guan Yu, in my judgment, Guan Yu is not a man who can be persuaded with words. I have a plan that will leave him no path either forward or back. If Wenyuan then goes to persuade him, Guan Yu will surely submit to the Prime Minister.”

Indeed:

The concealed bow is set to shoot the fierce tiger;The fragrant bait is prepared to hook the giant turtle.

What the plan was will be revealed in the chapter that follows.