Chapter 66

Guan Yu Attends the Banquet Armed with a Single Blade; Empress Fu Dies for the Realm

Now Sun Quan wished to demand the return of Jingzhou. Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “The man Liu Bei relies upon most is none other than Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang’s elder brother, Zhuge Jin, now serves here in Wu. Why not place Jin’s entire household under arrest and send him into the Riverlands to tell his brother to urge Liu Bei to hand over Jingzhou? He can say, ‘If it is not returned, my whole family will suffer for it.’ Mindful of the bond between brothers, Liang will surely consent.” Sun Quan said, “Zhuge Jin is an honest gentleman. How could I bear to imprison his family?” Zhang Zhao replied, “If you secretly let him know that it is merely a stratagem, he will naturally set his mind at ease.” Sun Quan followed his advice. He summoned Zhuge Jin’s family and placed them under nominal confinement in his residence; at the same time, he wrote a letter and dispatched Zhuge Jin to the western Riverlands. Within a few days, Jin reached Chengdu and first sent someone ahead to notify Xuande. Xuande asked Kongming, “Why has your elder brother come here?” Kongming replied, “Only to demand Jingzhou.” Xuande said, “How are we to answer him?” Kongming replied, “We need only do thus and thus.”

Their plan settled, Kongming went beyond the walls to meet Zhuge Jin. Instead of taking him to his private residence, he led him directly to the guest lodge. When the formal greetings were over, Jin burst into loud weeping. Liang said, “Brother, if something troubles you, only speak. Why give way to such grief?” Jin said, “My whole family is doomed!” Liang replied, “Can this be because Jingzhou has not been returned? If, on my account, your entire household has been seized, how can my heart know peace? Do not grieve, Brother. I have a plan of my own to restore Jingzhou, and that will settle the matter.” Jin was overjoyed and at once accompanied Kongming to see Xuande, to whom he presented Sun Quan’s letter. After reading it, Xuande angrily declared, “Sun Quan gave me his sister in marriage, yet while I was absent from Jingzhou, he secretly carried her away. Neither sentiment nor reason can tolerate such conduct! I am just about to raise the armies of the Riverlands, march down into Jiangnan, and avenge this wrong. And now he still thinks to demand Jingzhou?” Kongming wept and bowed to the ground, saying, “The Marquis of Wu has seized my elder brother’s entire household. If Jingzhou is not returned, my brother’s whole family will be put to death. If my brother dies, how could Liang live on alone? For my sake, my lord, return Jingzhou to Eastern Wu and preserve the bond between us brothers!” Xuande repeatedly refused, but Kongming continued to weep and plead. At length Xuande said slowly, “Since matters stand thus, for the military adviser’s sake I shall return half of Jingzhou. I will give them the three commanderies of Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang.” Liang said, “Since my lord has graciously consented, you may write to Yun­chang and order him to hand over the three commanderies.” Xuande said, “When Ziyu reaches him, he must entreat my brother with gentle words. My brother’s temper is like a raging fire; even I stand in awe of him. He must take the utmost care.”

Zhuge Jin obtained the letter, took leave of Xuande, bade farewell to Kongming, and set out directly for Jingzhou. Yun­chang invited him into the central hall, where host and guest exchanged courtesies. Jin produced Xuande’s letter and said, “The Imperial Uncle has agreed first to return three commanderies to Eastern Wu. I trust the general will hand them over without delay, so that I may return and report to my lord.” Yun­chang’s expression changed. “My elder brother and I swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden,” he said, “pledging ourselves together to uphold the house of Han. Jingzhou is territory of the Great Han; how could even an inch of it be recklessly given to another? ‘A general in the field need not obey every command of his sovereign.’ Though my brother has sent a letter, I for my part will not return it.” Jin said, “The Marquis of Wu now holds my whole family. If Jingzhou is not returned, they will certainly be put to death. I beg the general to take pity on them!” Yun­chang said, “This is a treacherous scheme of the Marquis of Wu. How could it deceive me?” Jin said, “Why does the general show me so little regard?” Yun­chang took his sword in hand and said, “Say no more! This sword of mine has no regard for anyone!” Guan Ping remonstrated, “This will reflect badly upon the military adviser. I beg you, Father, restrain your anger.” Yun­chang said, “Were it not for the military adviser’s sake, I would see to it that you never returned to Eastern Wu!”

His face covered with shame, Zhuge Jin hastily took his leave, boarded his boat, and returned to the western Riverlands to see Kongming, only to find that Kongming had already departed on an inspection tour. Jin could only seek another audience with Xuande and tearfully relate how Yun­chang had threatened to kill him. Xuande said, “My brother is impetuous and exceedingly difficult to reason with. Ziyu, return for the present. Once I have taken Dongchuan, Hanzhong, and the other commanderies, I shall transfer Yun­chang there to defend them. Only then can Jingzhou be handed over.” Having no other choice, Jin returned to Eastern Wu and reported the whole affair to Sun Quan. Sun Quan was furious. “Ziyu, after all your repeated journeys, can this entire business have been nothing but a scheme of Zhuge Liang’s?” Jin replied, “No. My brother likewise wept and pleaded with Xuande, who only then agreed first to return three commanderies. But there was nothing he could do when Yun­chang stubbornly relied on force and refused.” Sun Quan said, “Since Liu Bei has spoken of first returning three commanderies, we can send officials to Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang to assume their posts and see what happens.” Jin said, “My lord’s words are entirely right.” Sun Quan then ordered that Jin’s family be released to him, while dispatching officials to take up office in the three commanderies.

Before many days had passed, all the officials sent to the three commanderies were driven back. They reported to Sun Quan, “Guan Yun­chang refused to receive us and expelled us to Eastern Wu in the middle of the night. He threatened to kill anyone who lingered behind.” Sun Quan flew into a rage and sent for Lu Su to rebuke him. “Zijing, in former days you stood surety for Liu Bei when he borrowed Jingzhou from me. Now Liu Bei has obtained the western Riverlands and refuses to return it. How can you sit by and do nothing?” Lu Su said, “I have already devised a plan and was just about to report it to my lord.” Sun Quan asked what plan he had, and Lu Su replied, “Let us station troops at Lukou and send someone to invite Guan Yun­chang to a banquet. If Yun­chang agrees to come, I shall reason with him in courteous words. If he refuses to comply, we shall have swordsmen and axemen lying in ambush to kill him. If he refuses the invitation, we shall advance at once, settle the issue in battle, and seize Jingzhou.” Sun Quan said, “That accords exactly with my wishes. Carry it out at once.” Kan Ze stepped forward and said, “You must not. Guan Yun­chang is a tiger general of the age, beyond the reach of ordinary men. I fear that if the plan goes awry, we shall instead suffer at his hands.” Sun Quan angrily said, “If we proceed in this fashion, when will Jingzhou ever be ours?” He ordered Lu Su to execute the plan without delay. Lu Su took leave of Sun Quan and went to Lukou, where he summoned Lü Meng and Gan Ning for consultation. He had a banquet laid out in a pavilion overlooking the river outside the camp at Lukou, composed a letter of invitation, and selected from among his retainers a man of ready speech to serve as envoy. The man boarded a boat and crossed the river. At the river mouth Guan Ping questioned him, then conducted him into Jingzhou. The envoy bowed before Yun­chang, fully explained Lu Su’s invitation to the banquet, and presented the letter. After reading it, Yun­chang said to the messenger, “Since Zijing has invited me, I shall come to the banquet tomorrow. You may return ahead of me.”

The envoy took his leave. Guan Ping said, “Lu Su’s invitation can harbor no good intent. Why did you agree to it, Father?” Yun­chang laughed. “Do you think I do not know? Zhuge Jin has reported to Sun Quan that I refuse to return the three commanderies. Sun Quan has therefore ordered Lu Su to station troops at Lukou and invite me to a banquet so that he may demand Jingzhou. If I do not go, they will say I am afraid. Tomorrow I shall take a small boat alone, with only a dozen or so close attendants, and go to the banquet armed with a single sword. Let us see how Lu Su means to lay hands upon me.” Guan Ping remonstrated, “Father, how can you risk a person worth ten thousand pieces of gold by entering a den of tigers and wolves? I fear this is not the proper way to honor the trust my uncle placed in you.” Yun­chang said, “Amid a thousand spears and ten thousand blades, under the converging assault of arrows and stones, I have ridden alone wherever I pleased as though passing through a land without men. Should I be troubled by a pack of Jiangdong rats?” Ma Liang also remonstrated, “Though Lu Su has the bearing of a venerable gentleman, the present crisis may compel even him to harbor treacherous designs. The general must not go lightly.” Yun­chang replied, “In the days of the Warring States, Lin Xiangru of Zhao had not the strength to truss a chicken, yet at the meeting at Mianchi he regarded the ruler and ministers of Qin as nothing. How much less should I fear, who have studied the arts by which one man may withstand ten thousand? Since I have already given my word, I cannot break faith.” Ma Liang said, “Even if the general goes, preparations must be made.” Yun­chang replied, “Have my son select ten swift boats and conceal five hundred skilled marines aboard them to wait on the river. When they see my red banner raised, they are to cross at once.” Guan Ping accepted the order and withdrew to make ready.

Meanwhile, the envoy returned and reported to Lu Su that Yun­chang had readily accepted and would certainly arrive the next day. Lu Su consulted with Lü Meng. “How shall we meet him when he comes?” Lü Meng replied, “If he brings troops, Gan Ning and I will each lead a force into ambush beside the bank. At the firing of a cannon, we shall charge out and give battle. If he brings no troops, station fifty swordsmen and axemen behind the pavilion and kill him during the banquet.” Their plan was settled. The next day, Lu Su ordered men to keep watch from the riverbank. After the hour of the dragon, they saw a single boat approaching over the river. It held only a few boatmen and sailors. A red banner fluttered in the wind, displaying a great character: “Guan.” As the boat drew near the bank, they saw Yun­chang seated aboard, wearing a green headcloth and green robe. Beside him stood Zhou Cang, bearing the great blade, while eight or nine stalwart men from west of the passes each wore a saber at his waist. Lu Su was startled and suspicious, but went to receive them and conducted Yun­chang into the pavilion. When the courtesies had been exchanged, they took their places and drank. Lu Su raised his cup and pressed wine upon his guest, not daring to look him full in the face. Yun­chang talked and laughed with perfect composure.

When the wine had brought them to half-drunkenness, Lu Su said, “I have one matter to lay before the lord. I trust you will deign to hear me. In former days your elder brother, the Imperial Uncle, caused me to stand surety before my lord when he borrowed Jingzhou as a temporary residence, agreeing to return it after he had taken the western Riverlands. Now the western Riverlands have been won, yet Jingzhou has not been returned. Is this not a breach of faith?” Yun­chang replied, “This is a great affair of state. There is no need to discuss it at the banquet table.” Lu Su said, “My lord possesses only the small territory of Jiangdong, yet he agreed to lend you Jingzhou because he remembered that the Imperial Uncle and the rest of you had come from afar after defeat, with no resources upon which to depend. Now that Yizhou has been obtained, Jingzhou should naturally be returned. Yet the Imperial Uncle is willing to cede only three commanderies at first, and even that the lord refuses to permit. I fear such conduct cannot be justified by reason.”

Yun­chang said, “In the campaign at Wulin, the General of the Left personally braved arrows and stones and exerted all his strength to break the enemy. Was he to labor in vain and receive not one foot of land in reward? And now you come once more to demand the territory?” Lu Su replied, “That is not so. When the lord and the Imperial Uncle were first defeated together at Changban, your plans were exhausted and your strength spent, and you were on the verge of fleeing to distant parts. My lord pitied the Imperial Uncle for having no place to shelter and did not begrudge him territory. He gave him a foothold sufficient to pursue future achievements. Yet the Imperial Uncle has violated virtue and ruined your friendship: having obtained the western Riverlands, he still occupies Jingzhou. For such greed and betrayal of honor, I fear he will be mocked by all the world. I beg the lord to consider it carefully.” Yun­chang said, “These are all affairs of my elder brother. It is not for me to involve myself in them.” Lu Su said, “I have heard that the lord and the Imperial Uncle swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden and vowed to share life and death. The Imperial Uncle is the lord himself. How can you shift the responsibility elsewhere?”

Before Yun­chang could answer, Zhou Cang called sternly from below the steps, “The lands beneath Heaven belong to those of virtue. Why should Eastern Wu alone be entitled to possess them?” Yun­chang’s expression changed. He rose, snatched the great blade from Zhou Cang’s hands, and stood in the courtyard. Fixing Zhou Cang with his gaze, he rebuked him: “This is an affair of state. How dare you speak out of turn? Be gone at once!” Zhou Cang understood his meaning. He went first to the riverbank and waved the red banner. Guan Ping’s boats shot forth like arrows, racing across toward the eastern bank. Yun­chang held the blade in his right hand and seized Lu Su’s hand with his left. Feigning drunkenness, he said, “You invited me here today to a banquet, sir. Do not bring up the matter of Jingzhou. I am drunk now, and I fear we might injure the affection between old friends. On another day I shall send someone to invite you to a banquet in Jingzhou, where we may discuss it separately.”

Lu Su was frightened out of his wits and let Yun­chang drag him to the riverside. Lü Meng and Gan Ning each prepared to lead out his troops, but when they saw Yun­chang holding the great blade in one hand and Lu Su firmly in the other, they feared Lu Su would be harmed and dared not move. Only when Yun­chang reached the boat did he release him. In an instant he stood at the prow, bidding Lu Su farewell. Lu Su stared as if stupefied, watching Lord Guan’s boat sail away before the wind. A later poet praised Lord Guan:

He scorned the lords of Wu like little boys;Who dared deceive him, armed with one lone blade?That hero’s mettle blazing in those daysSurpassed Xiangru’s at Mianchi’s assembly.

Yun­chang returned to Jingzhou. Lu Su and Lü Meng conferred together. “This plan too has failed. What are we to do?” Lü Meng said, “Report to our lord and have him raise troops to decide the matter with Yun­chang in battle.” Lu Su immediately sent a messenger to report to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan heard, he was enraged and began discussing plans to raise the entire strength of his realm and march upon Jingzhou. Suddenly word came that Cao Cao had once more raised a great army of three hundred thousand and was on his way. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. For the time being, he ordered Lu Su not to provoke the troops of Jingzhou, but to shift his forces toward Hefei and Ruxu to resist Cao Cao.

Now Cao Cao was on the point of setting out on his southern campaign when the staff officer Fu Gan, whose style was Yancai, submitted a memorial remonstrating with him. It read in essence: “I have heard that in the use of arms, awe must come first, while in civil government, virtue must come first. Only when awe and virtue support one another can the work of kingship be accomplished. In former times, when all beneath Heaven was in great disorder, Your Excellency employed arms to sweep the turmoil away, and of ten parts you have pacified nine. Only Wu and Shu have yet to accept the royal command. Wu is protected by the perils of the Long River, and Shu by the barriers of lofty mountains; it will be difficult to subdue them through warlike might. In my foolish opinion, you should now further cultivate the virtues of civil government, lay aside armor and cease hostilities, rest the army and nurture the officers, and await the proper time to move. If you now raise several hundred thousand men and station them along the banks of the Long River, the enemy may hide deep behind their natural defenses. Our officers, horses, and men will be unable to display their abilities, while ingenious changes and uncommon stratagems will find no scope for use. Then the majesty of Heaven will have been humbled. I beg Your Excellency to examine this carefully.”

When Cao Cao had finished reading, he abandoned the southern campaign. He established schools and extended courtesy and honor to men of letters. Thereupon the four court attendants Wang Can, Du Xi, Wei Kai, and He Qia discussed elevating Cao Cao to King of Wei. Xun You, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, said, “That must not be done. The prime minister has attained the rank of Duke of Wei and received the glory of the Nine Bestowments. His position has already reached its utmost height. To advance him now to the rank of king would violate all propriety.” When Cao Cao heard this, he angrily exclaimed, “Does this man wish to imitate Xun Yu?” Xun You learned of the remark. Grief and indignation brought on an illness, and after lying sick for more than ten days, he died at the age of fifty-eight. Cao Cao buried him with great honors, then set aside the matter of becoming King of Wei.

One day, Cao Cao entered the palace wearing his sword. Emperor Xian was seated with Empress Fu. When the empress saw Cao Cao enter, she hastily rose. At the sight of Cao Cao, the Emperor trembled without cease. Cao Cao said, “Sun Quan and Liu Bei each dominate a region and show no reverence for the imperial court. What is to be done?” The Emperor replied, “Everything rests with the Duke of Wei to decide.” Cao Cao angrily said, “If Your Majesty speaks such words and outsiders hear them, they will say only that I oppress my sovereign.” The Emperor said, “If you are willing to support me, it would be my greatest fortune. If not, I beg you to show mercy and release me.”

At these words, Cao Cao glared angrily at the Emperor and departed in bitter wrath. Some among the attendants reported to the Emperor, “We have lately heard that the Duke of Wei intends to proclaim himself king. Before long he will surely usurp the throne.” The Emperor and Empress Fu wept bitterly. The empress said, “My father, Fu Wan, has long cherished the desire to kill Cao Cao. I shall now write him a letter and secretly plot the matter with him.” The Emperor said, “In former days, because Dong Cheng kept his plans insufficiently secret, he brought a great calamity upon himself. If this should now be revealed, both you and I are finished!” The empress replied, “From dawn to dusk we sit as though upon a mat of needles. Better to die early than live like this! Of all the eunuchs, the one whose loyalty and honor can best be trusted is Mu Shun. We should have him deliver the letter.” She therefore summoned Mu Shun behind a screen and dismissed all the nearby attendants. The Emperor and empress wept bitterly and told him, “The traitor Cao Cao wishes to become King of Wei and sooner or later will certainly usurp the throne. We wish the empress’s father, Fu Wan, to plot secretly against this villain, but all those around us are the traitor’s trusted agents, and there is no one we can rely upon. We want you to carry the empress’s secret letter to Fu Wan. Knowing your loyalty and honor, we are certain you will not fail us.” Mu Shun wept and said, “Your servant is deeply moved by Your Majesty’s great grace. How could I dare not repay it with death? I beg leave to go at once.”

The empress then wrote the letter and gave it to Mu Shun. He concealed it in his hair, slipped secretly out of the forbidden palace, and went directly to Fu Wan’s residence, where he presented the letter. Seeing that it was in Empress Fu’s own hand, Fu Wan said to Mu Shun, “The traitor Cao Cao has many trusted agents. We cannot act rashly against him. Only if Sun Quan in Jiangdong and Liu Bei in the western Riverlands raise troops from without will Cao Cao be compelled to go in person. We must then seek out loyal and honorable ministers at court and plot together with them. By attacking from within and without, we may perhaps succeed.” Mu Shun said, “Imperial Father-in-law, you should write a reply to the Emperor and empress, requesting a secret edict. Then secretly send men to Wu and Shu, arranging for them to raise troops together, punish the traitor, and rescue their sovereign.” Fu Wan at once took paper, wrote a letter, and gave it to Mu Shun. Mu Shun concealed it in the knot of his hair, took leave of Fu Wan, and returned to the palace.

But someone had already informed Cao Cao. Cao Cao went ahead and waited at the palace gate. When Mu Shun returned, he encountered Cao Cao, who asked, “Where have you been?” Mu Shun answered, “The empress is ill and ordered me to seek a physician.” Cao Cao said, “Where is the physician you summoned?” Mu Shun replied, “I have not yet brought one.” Cao Cao shouted to his attendants to search him from head to foot. Finding nothing concealed on his person, they let him pass. Suddenly the wind blew off his cap. Cao Cao called him back, took the cap, and examined it. After inspecting it all over and finding nothing, he returned it and ordered Mu Shun to put it on. Mu Shun replaced his cap with both hands, but put it on backward. Cao Cao grew suspicious and commanded his attendants to search Mu Shun’s hair. There they found Fu Wan’s letter. When Cao Cao read it, he saw that it spoke of joining with Sun Quan and Liu Bei as allies outside the court. Cao Cao flew into a rage. He had Mu Shun seized and questioned in a secret chamber, but Mu Shun refused to confess. That very night Cao Cao mustered three thousand armored troops and surrounded Fu Wan’s private residence. Old and young alike were arrested, and Empress Fu’s letter in her own hand was discovered. All three clans of the Fu family were then cast into prison. At daybreak, Cao Cao sent Xi Lü with the imperial guards and a staff of authority into the palace to seize first the empress’s seal and ribbon.

That day the Emperor was in the outer hall when he saw Xi Lü leading three hundred armored soldiers straight inside. The Emperor asked, “What is the meaning of this?” Xi Lü replied, “By command of the Duke of Wei, I have come to seize the empress’s seal.” Knowing the affair had been exposed, the Emperor felt his heart and courage shatter. Xi Lü went to the inner palace, where Empress Fu was just rising. He summoned the keeper of the seal and ribbon, demanded the jade seal, and departed with it. Realizing the plot had been discovered, Empress Fu hid inside a partition wall in the pepper chamber behind the hall. A short while later, Hua Xin, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, led five hundred soldiers into the rear palace and asked the palace women, “Where is Empress Fu?” They all claimed not to know. Hua Xin ordered the armored soldiers to break open the vermilion doors, but their search revealed nothing. Concluding that she must be inside the walls, he shouted to the soldiers to smash them open and search. Hua Xin personally seized the empress by her hair and dragged her out. The empress cried, “I beg you to spare my life!” Hua Xin rebuked her: “Go and make your plea before the Duke of Wei!” With her hair disheveled and her feet bare, she was shoved and driven away by two armored soldiers.

Hua Xin had always enjoyed literary renown and had once been on intimate terms with Bing Yuan and Guan Ning. The people of the time called the three men a single dragon: Hua Xin was the dragon’s head, Bing Yuan its belly, and Guan Ning its tail. One day, Guan Ning and Hua Xin were planting vegetables together in a garden when their hoes uncovered a piece of gold. Guan Ning continued wielding his hoe without so much as a glance; Hua Xin picked up the gold and examined it before throwing it down. On another day, Guan Ning and Hua Xin sat together reading when they heard cries of heralds outside the gate, announcing the passage of a nobleman in a carriage. Guan Ning remained seated upright and did not move, while Hua Xin cast aside his book and went to watch. From that time on, Guan Ning despised Hua Xin’s character. He cut their mat apart, sat separately from him, and was no longer his friend. Later, Guan Ning withdrew to Liaodong. He always wore a white cap, and whether sitting or lying remained in an upper chamber, his feet never touching the ground. To the end of his life, he refused to serve Wei. Hua Xin, however, first served Sun Quan and later went over to Cao Cao, and it was he who now arrested Empress Fu. A later poet lamented Hua Xin:

That day Hua Xin pursued his savage plan,Broke through the wall and dragged the empress forth.By aiding tyranny, he lent the tiger wings;A thousand years men mock the dragon’s head.

Another poem praised Guan Ning:

In Liaodong they tell of Guan Ning’s tower;The man is gone, the tower empty, his name alone remains.How laughable that Ziyu craved wealth and rank!How could he match the white-capped master’s noble ease?

Now Hua Xin drove Empress Fu into the outer hall. When the Emperor saw her, he descended from the dais, embraced her, and wept. Hua Xin said, “The Duke of Wei has given his command. Go at once!” Weeping, the empress said to the Emperor, “Can you no longer save my life?” The Emperor replied, “Even I do not know when my own life will end!” The armored soldiers drove the empress away, while the Emperor beat his breast and wailed bitterly. Seeing Xi Lü at his side, the Emperor said, “Lord Xi! Can such things truly happen beneath Heaven?” Then he fell weeping to the floor. Xi Lü ordered the attendants to help the Emperor back into the palace.

Hua Xin took Empress Fu before Cao Cao. Cao Cao reviled her: “I treated all of you with sincerity, yet you sought to harm me! If I do not kill you, you will surely kill me.” He shouted to his attendants, who beat her to death with their clubs. Cao Cao then immediately entered the palace and had both sons born to Empress Fu poisoned. That same evening, more than two hundred members of the clans of Fu Wan, Mu Shun, and the others were beheaded in the marketplace. Throughout court and countryside, there was no one who was not appalled. It was the eleventh month of the nineteenth year of Jian’an. A later poet lamented:

No age has known Cao Cao’s savage cruelty;What could Fu Wan’s loyal honor avail?How pitiful, where Emperor and empress parted—Less fortunate than any common wife and man.

After the destruction of Empress Fu, Emperor Xian refused food for several days. Cao Cao entered and said, “Your Majesty need not grieve. Your servant harbors no disloyal intent. My daughter is already one of Your Majesty’s Honored Ladies. She is greatly virtuous and filial and should occupy the principal palace.” How could Emperor Xian dare refuse? On New Year’s Day in the first month of the twentieth year of Jian’an, amid the celebrations of the new year, Cao Cao’s daughter, Honored Lady Cao, was formally installed as empress of the principal palace. None among the assembled ministers dared speak.

By this time, Cao Cao’s power and authority grew greater with every passing day. He assembled his ministers to discuss the conquest of Wu and the destruction of Shu. Jia Xu said, “Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren must be recalled so that we may consult with them.” Cao Cao immediately dispatched messengers to summon them back with all speed, traveling by night as well as day. Before Xiahou Dun arrived, Cao Ren reached the capital and went that very night to Cao Cao’s residence to see him. Cao Cao had been drinking and lay asleep, while Xu Chu stood inside the hall door with sword in hand. Cao Ren tried to enter, but Xu Chu barred his way. Cao Ren angrily said, “I am a kinsman of the Cao clan. How dare you obstruct me?” Xu Chu replied, “Though the general is a close kinsman, you are an officer stationed in command beyond the capital. Though Xu Chu is no relation, I presently serve within my lord’s household. My lord lies drunk in the hall, and I dare not admit you.” When Cao Cao heard of this, he sighed and said, “Xu Chu is a truly loyal minister!”

Within a few days, Xiahou Dun also arrived, and together they discussed their campaigns. Xiahou Dun said, “Wu and Shu cannot yet be attacked in haste. We should first take Hanzhong from Zhang Lu, then use our victorious army to seize Shu. It may be brought down in a single charge.” Cao Cao said, “That accords exactly with my wishes.” He therefore raised an army and set out on a western campaign. Indeed:

Just as his savage schemes oppressed a feeble lord,He drove his hardened troops to scour a border realm.

What happened thereafter is unknown; read the next chapter for the resolution.

Guan Yu Attends the Banquet Armed with a Single Blade; Empress Fu Dies for the Realm

Now Sun Quan wanted to demand the return of Jingzhou. Zhang Zhao offered a plan: “The man Liu Bei relies on most is Zhuge Liang. His elder brother Zhuge Jin now serves here in Wu. Why not place Zhuge Jin’s whole family under arrest and send him into Sichuan to tell his brother to persuade Liu Bei to hand over Jingzhou? He can say, ‘If Jingzhou is not returned, my entire family will suffer for it.’ Zhuge Liang will think of their brotherly bond and surely agree.” Sun Quan said, “Zhuge Jin is an honest gentleman. How could I bear to imprison his family?” Zhang Zhao said, “Make it clear to him that this is only a stratagem, and he will naturally have no cause for concern.” Sun Quan followed his advice. He summoned Zhuge Jin’s family and placed them under nominal confinement in his residence, while also preparing a letter and sending Zhuge Jin to Western Sichuan. Within a few days, Zhuge Jin reached Chengdu and first sent someone ahead to inform Xuande. Xuande asked Kongming, “Why has your elder brother come here?” Kongming replied, “Only to demand Jingzhou.” Xuande asked, “How should we answer him?” Kongming said, “We need only do thus and thus.”

Once they had settled their plan, Kongming went outside the city to meet Zhuge Jin. Instead of taking him to his private residence, he led him directly to the guesthouse. After they had exchanged greetings, Zhuge Jin burst into loud sobs. Zhuge Liang said, “Elder Brother, if something is wrong, just tell me. Why are you grieving like this?” Zhuge Jin said, “My entire family is doomed!” Zhuge Liang said, “Can this be because Jingzhou has not been returned? If your family has been arrested on my account, how can my heart be at peace? Do not worry, Elder Brother. I have a plan to return Jingzhou, and that will settle the matter.” Zhuge Jin was overjoyed and immediately went with Kongming to see Xuande, presenting Sun Quan’s letter. After reading it, Xuande angrily said, “Sun Quan gave me his sister in marriage, yet while I was away from Jingzhou he secretly carried her off. Such conduct is intolerable by either sentiment or reason! I was just about to raise a great army from Sichuan, march down into Jiangnan, and avenge this wrong, yet he still expects to demand Jingzhou from me?” Kongming fell to the ground, weeping as he bowed, and said, “The Marquis of Wu has arrested my elder brother’s entire family. If Jingzhou is not returned, his whole household will be executed. If my brother dies, how could I live on alone? For my sake, my lord, please return Jingzhou to Eastern Wu and preserve the bond between us brothers!” Xuande repeatedly refused, but Kongming continued to weep and plead. At last Xuande slowly said, “Since matters stand this way, for the military adviser’s sake I will return half of Jingzhou. I will give them the three commanderies of Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang.” Zhuge Liang said, “Since my lord has consented, you may write to Yunzhang ordering him to hand over the three commanderies.” Xuande said, “When Ziyu reaches him, he must use gentle words in making the request. My brother has a temper like blazing fire, and even I am wary of him. He must take the greatest care.”

Zhuge Jin obtained the letter, took leave of Xuande, said farewell to Kongming, and set out directly for Jingzhou. Yunzhang invited him into the central hall, where host and guest exchanged courtesies. Zhuge Jin produced Xuande’s letter and said, “The Imperial Uncle has agreed to return three commanderies to Eastern Wu for the present. I hope, General, that you will hand them over at once so that I may return and report to my lord.” Yunzhang’s expression changed. “My elder brother and I swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden and vowed to work together to restore the house of Han. Jingzhou is territory of the Great Han. How can so much as an inch of it be recklessly given away? ‘A general in the field need not obey every command of his sovereign.’ Though my brother has sent a letter, I simply will not return it.” Zhuge Jin said, “The Marquis of Wu has now arrested my entire family. If Jingzhou is not returned, they will surely be executed. I beg the general to take pity on them!” Yunzhang said, “This is a deceptive scheme by the Marquis of Wu. How could it possibly fool me?” Zhuge Jin said, “Why are you so utterly unwilling to show consideration, General?” Yunzhang took his sword in hand and said, “Say no more! This sword shows no consideration to anyone!” Guan Ping protested, “This will reflect badly on the military adviser. Please calm your anger, Father.” Yunzhang said, “If not for the military adviser’s sake, I would make sure you never returned to Eastern Wu!”

Zhuge Jin’s face was filled with shame. He hurriedly took his leave, boarded a boat, and returned to Western Sichuan to see Kongming, only to find that Kongming had gone out on an inspection tour. Zhuge Jin could only see Xuande again and tearfully tell him how Yunzhang had threatened to kill him. Xuande said, “My brother is hot-tempered and extremely difficult to reason with. Ziyu, you may return for the time being. Allow me to capture Eastern Sichuan, Hanzhong, and the other commanderies, and then transfer Yunzhang there to defend them. Only then will I be able to hand over Jingzhou.” Zhuge Jin had no choice but to return to Eastern Wu and report the entire affair to Sun Quan. Sun Quan was furious. “Ziyu, you have gone back and forth on this mission. Could all this be a scheme of Zhuge Liang’s?” Zhuge Jin said, “No. My brother also wept and appealed to Xuande, who then agreed to return three commanderies first. Unfortunately, Yunzhang stubbornly relied on his own power and refused.” Sun Quan said, “Since Liu Bei has said he will first return three commanderies, we can appoint officials and send them to Changsha, Lingling, and Guiyang to assume office, then see what happens.” Zhuge Jin said, “My lord’s proposal is entirely right.” Sun Quan then ordered Zhuge Jin’s family released to him, while sending officials to assume their posts in the three commanderies.

Before many days had passed, every official sent to the three commanderies had been driven back. They reported to Sun Quan, “Guan Yunzhang refused to tolerate our presence and drove us back to Eastern Wu overnight. He threatened to kill anyone who lingered behind.” Sun Quan was enraged and sent for Lu Su to rebuke him. “Zijing, you once acted as guarantor for Liu Bei when he borrowed Jingzhou from me. Now Liu Bei has obtained Western Sichuan and refuses to return it. How can you sit by and do nothing?” Lu Su said, “I have already devised a plan and was just about to report it to my lord.” Sun Quan asked what the plan was, and Lu Su replied, “Station troops at Lukou and send someone to invite Guan Yunzhang to a meeting. If Yunzhang agrees to come, I will reason with him in conciliatory terms. If he refuses to comply, we will have swordsmen and axemen lying in ambush to kill him. If he refuses to come at all, we will immediately advance our army, fight him to a decision, and seize Jingzhou.” Sun Quan said, “That is exactly what I have in mind. Carry it out at once.” Kan Ze stepped forward and said, “You must not. Guan Yunzhang is a tiger general without equal in this age, far beyond the reach of ordinary men. I fear the plan will fail and bring harm upon us instead.” Sun Quan angrily said, “If we act like this, when will we ever recover Jingzhou?” He ordered Lu Su to carry out the plan without delay. Lu Su took leave of Sun Quan and went to Lukou, where he summoned Lü Meng and Gan Ning for consultation. He arranged a banquet in a pavilion overlooking the river outside the Lukou encampment, prepared a letter of invitation, and selected an eloquent, quick-witted man from his staff to serve as messenger. The man boarded a boat and crossed the river. At the river entrance Guan Ping questioned him, then conducted him into Jingzhou to pay his respects to Yunzhang. The messenger fully explained Lu Su’s invitation and presented the letter. After reading it, Yunzhang told him, “Since Zijing has invited me, I will come to the banquet tomorrow. You may return ahead of me.”

The messenger took his leave. Guan Ping said, “Lu Su cannot mean well by inviting you. Why did you agree to go, Father?” Yunzhang laughed. “Do you think I do not know that? Zhuge Jin has reported to Sun Quan that I refused to return the three commanderies. That is why Sun Quan has ordered Lu Su to station troops at Lukou and invite me to this meeting, where he will demand Jingzhou. If I do not go, they will say I am afraid. Tomorrow I will take a small boat alone, with only a dozen or so attendants. I will attend the meeting armed with a single sword and see how Lu Su thinks he can touch me.” Guan Ping remonstrated, “How can Father risk a body worth ten thousand pieces of gold by personally entering a den of tigers and wolves? I fear this is not the way to honor the trust my uncle has placed in you.” Yunzhang said, “Amid ten thousand spears and blades, with arrows and stones striking from every side, I have ridden alone in every direction as though entering a deserted land. Why should I fear a pack of rats from Jiangdong?” Ma Liang also advised against it: “Though Lu Su has the bearing of an honorable elder, matters are now so pressing that he cannot avoid harboring treacherous intentions. You must not go there lightly, General.” Yunzhang said, “In the Warring States period, Lin Xiangru of Zhao did not possess the strength to truss a chicken, yet at the meeting at Mianchi he treated the ruler and ministers of Qin as though they were nothing. How much less should I fear them, when I have mastered the arts by which one man may face ten thousand? Since I have already given my word, I cannot break faith.” Ma Liang said, “Even if you go, General, you must make preparations.” Yunzhang said, “Have my son select ten swift boats and conceal five hundred skilled marines aboard them to wait on the river. When they see my red flag raised, they are to cross the river at once.” Guan Ping accepted the order and went to make preparations.

Meanwhile, the messenger returned and reported to Lu Su that Yunzhang had readily accepted and would certainly arrive the following day. Lu Su consulted Lü Meng. “What should we do when he comes?” Lü Meng said, “If he brings troops, Gan Ning and I will each lead a force and lie in ambush along the bank. A cannon shot will be our signal, and we will be ready to fight. If no troops come with him, we will simply conceal fifty swordsmen and axemen behind the pavilion and kill him during the banquet.” Their plan was settled. The next day, Lu Su sent men to keep watch from the riverbank. After the hour of the dragon, they saw a single boat approaching over the river. There were only a few boatmen and sailors aboard, and a red flag fluttering in the wind displayed the great character “Guan.” As the boat neared the bank, they saw Yunzhang seated aboard, wearing a green headscarf and green robe. Beside him stood Zhou Cang, holding the great saber. Eight or nine stalwart men from the western passes each wore a saber at his waist. Lu Su was alarmed and suspicious, but received them into the pavilion. After the formal courtesies, they took their seats and drank. Lu Su raised his cup and urged his guest to drink, but did not dare look directly at him. Yunzhang talked and laughed with complete composure.

When they were half drunk, Lu Su said, “I have something to submit for your consideration, my lord. I hope you will deign to hear me. In the past, your elder brother the Imperial Uncle had me guarantee before my lord that Jingzhou would be loaned to him as a temporary residence, with the agreement that it would be returned after he had taken Western Sichuan. Now Western Sichuan has been obtained, but Jingzhou has not been returned. Does this not amount to a breach of faith?” Yunzhang said, “This is a great matter of state. There is no need to discuss it at a banquet.” Lu Su said, “My lord possessed only the limited territory of Jiangdong, yet he was willing to lend Jingzhou because he knew that you and the Imperial Uncle had come from afar after a military defeat and lacked any resources. Now that you have obtained Yizhou, Jingzhou should naturally be returned. Yet the Imperial Uncle is willing to yield only three commanderies at first, and even this you refuse to permit. I fear your position cannot be justified.”

Yunzhang said, “In the campaign at Wulin, the General of the Left personally braved arrows and stones and exerted all his strength to defeat the enemy. How could he labor in vain without receiving even a foot of land for his support? And now you have come demanding territory again?” Lu Su said, “That is not so. When you and the Imperial Uncle were first defeated at Changban, your plans were exhausted, your strength spent, and you were about to flee far away. My lord took pity on the Imperial Uncle because he had nowhere to establish himself and did not begrudge him territory. He gave him a place of refuge sufficient to plan later achievements. Yet the Imperial Uncle has betrayed virtue and ruined your friendship. Having obtained Western Sichuan, he still occupies Jingzhou as well. His greed and betrayal of righteousness will, I fear, make him the laughingstock of the world. I ask you to consider this, my lord.” Yunzhang said, “These are all my brother’s affairs. It is not for me to involve myself in them.” Lu Su said, “I have heard that you and the Imperial Uncle swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden and vowed to live and die together. The Imperial Uncle is the same as you. How can you shift the responsibility elsewhere?”

Before Yunzhang could answer, Zhou Cang shouted sternly from below the steps, “The lands beneath Heaven belong to those who possess virtue. Why should Eastern Wu alone have the right to them?” Yunzhang’s expression changed. He rose, snatched the great saber from Zhou Cang’s hands, and stood in the courtyard. Glaring at Zhou Cang, he rebuked him: “This is an affair of state! How dare you interfere? Leave at once!” Zhou Cang understood his meaning and went ahead to the riverbank, where he waved the red flag. Guan Ping’s boats shot forward like arrows, racing across toward Jiangdong. Yunzhang held the saber in his right hand and seized Lu Su’s hand with his left. Pretending to be drunk, he said, “You invited me to a banquet today, sir, so do not bring up the matter of Jingzhou. I am drunk now and fear I might damage the affection between old friends. On another day I will send someone to invite you to a meeting in Jingzhou, and we can discuss the matter separately.”

Lu Su was terrified out of his wits as Yunzhang dragged him to the riverbank. Lü Meng and Gan Ning each prepared to lead out their troops, but when they saw Yunzhang holding the great saber and personally gripping Lu Su, they feared Lu Su would be harmed and did not dare move. Only when Yunzhang reached the side of his boat did he release Lu Su. In an instant he was standing at the bow, taking his leave of him. Lu Su stood there dazed and stupefied, watching Lord Guan’s boat sail away before the wind. A later poet praised Lord Guan:

He scorned the ministers of Wu like little boys;Who dared deceive him when he came armed with one blade?The heroic spirit he displayed that daySurpassed even Xiangru’s at Mianchi.

Yunzhang returned to Jingzhou. Lu Su and Lü Meng conferred together. “This plan has failed as well. What are we to do?” Lü Meng said, “Report to our lord and ask him to raise an army and fight Yunzhang to a decision.” Lu Su immediately sent someone to report to Sun Quan. When Sun Quan heard, he was furious and discussed mobilizing the full strength of the realm to seize Jingzhou. Suddenly a report arrived that Cao Cao had again raised a great army of three hundred thousand. Sun Quan was greatly alarmed. For the moment, he ordered Lu Su not to provoke the troops of Jingzhou, but to shift his forces toward Hefei and Ruxu to resist Cao Cao.

Now Cao Cao was preparing to set out on a southern campaign when Staff Officer Fu Gan, styled Yancai, submitted a memorial advising him against it. The substance of the letter was: “I have heard that in the use of arms, one must first establish awe, while in civil government, one must first establish virtue. Only when awe and virtue support each other can the work of a true king be accomplished. When the realm fell into great disorder, my enlightened lord used military force to restore order and has pacified nine-tenths of it. Only Wu and Shu have not yet accepted the royal command. Wu is protected by the natural barrier of the Yangtze, while Shu is shielded by towering mountains. They are difficult to subdue by the might of arms. In my humble opinion, you should now cultivate civil virtue more fully, set aside armor and suspend hostilities, rest the army, nurture the soldiers, and wait for the proper time to act. If you now mobilize several hundred thousand troops and station them along the banks of the Yangtze, the enemy may conceal himself deep behind his natural defenses. Our officers and men would be unable to exercise their abilities, and our ingenious strategies and transformations would have no scope in which to operate. The majesty of Heaven would then be humbled. I ask only that my enlightened lord examine the matter carefully.”

After reading the memorial, Cao Cao abandoned his southern campaign. He established schools and extended honors and courtesy to men of letters. At this time, Palace Attendant Wang Can, Du Xi, Wei Kai, and He Qia discussed honoring Cao Cao as King of Wei. Xun You, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, said, “That must not be done. The prime minister has attained the rank of Duke of Wei and has been honored with the Nine Bestowments. His position has already reached the highest point. It would be contrary to principle to elevate him now to the rank of king.” When Cao Cao heard this, he angrily said, “Does this man mean to imitate Xun Yu?” When Xun You learned of Cao Cao’s words, anxiety and indignation brought on an illness. He lay sick for more than ten days and died at the age of fifty-eight. Cao Cao gave him a lavish burial and then dropped the proposal to become King of Wei.

One day, Cao Cao entered the palace wearing his sword. Emperor Xian was seated with Empress Fu. When Empress Fu saw Cao Cao arrive, she hurriedly rose. At the sight of Cao Cao, the emperor trembled uncontrollably. Cao Cao said, “Sun Quan and Liu Bei each rule a region and show no respect for the imperial court. What should be done about them?” The emperor said, “Everything is for the Duke of Wei to decide.” Cao Cao angrily replied, “If outsiders heard Your Majesty say such a thing, they would only claim that I was intimidating my sovereign.” The emperor said, “If you are willing to support me, that would be my greatest good fortune. If not, I beg you to show mercy and let me go.”

At these words, Cao Cao glared furiously at the emperor and stormed out in bitter resentment. Some of the attendants reported to the emperor, “We have recently heard that the Duke of Wei intends to make himself a king. Before long, he will surely usurp the throne.” The emperor and Empress Fu wept bitterly. The empress said, “My father, Fu Wan, has long wished to kill Cao Cao. I will now write a letter and secretly plot with him.” The emperor said, “In the past, Dong Cheng failed to keep the matter secret and brought terrible disaster upon himself. If this should leak out as well, both you and I will be finished!” The empress said, “Every morning and evening, I feel as though I were sitting on a bed of needles. Living like this, I would rather die soon! Among the eunuchs, none seems more loyal and trustworthy than Mu Shun. We should have him deliver the letter.” They immediately summoned Mu Shun behind a screen and dismissed all the nearby attendants. The emperor and empress wept bitterly and told him, “The traitor Cao wishes to become King of Wei and will surely usurp the throne sooner or later. We wish to order the empress’s father, Fu Wan, to plot secretly against this traitor, but all those around us are Cao Cao’s trusted agents, and there is no one we can rely on. We want you to carry the empress’s secret letter to Fu Wan. Knowing your loyalty and righteousness, We are certain you will not fail Us.” Mu Shun wept and said, “I have received Your Majesty’s immense grace. How could I dare not repay it with my death? I ask leave to set out at once.”

The empress then wrote the letter and gave it to Mu Shun. He concealed it in his hair, slipped secretly out of the forbidden palace, and went directly to Fu Wan’s residence, where he presented the letter. Seeing that it was in Empress Fu’s own hand, Fu Wan said to Mu Shun, “The traitor Cao has many trusted followers, so we cannot plot against him hastily. Only if Sun Quan in Jiangdong and Liu Bei in Western Sichuan raise armies against him from outside will Cao Cao be compelled to go in person. At that time, we can seek out loyal and righteous ministers at court and plot together. With attacks from within and without, we may have some hope of success.” Mu Shun said, “Imperial Father-in-law, you can write a reply to the emperor and empress asking for a secret edict. Then covertly send men to Wu and Shu, ordering them to arrange a common date to raise their armies, punish the traitor, and save their sovereign.” Fu Wan immediately took paper, wrote a letter, and gave it to Mu Shun. Mu Shun concealed it inside his topknot, took leave of Fu Wan, and returned toward the palace.

But someone had already informed Cao Cao. Cao Cao went ahead and waited at the palace gate. When Mu Shun returned, he encountered Cao Cao, who asked, “Where have you been?” Mu Shun replied, “The empress is ill and ordered me to find a physician.” Cao Cao said, “Where is the physician you summoned?” Mu Shun said, “I have not yet brought one back.” Cao Cao shouted for his attendants to search Mu Shun from head to foot. They found nothing concealed on him, so Cao Cao let him pass. Suddenly a gust of wind blew off Mu Shun’s cap. Cao Cao called him back again, took the cap, and inspected it, but found nothing. He returned it and ordered Mu Shun to put it on. Mu Shun put the cap on backward with both hands. Cao Cao grew suspicious and ordered his attendants to search through Mu Shun’s hair. There they found Fu Wan’s letter. When Cao Cao read it, he saw that it proposed making common cause with Sun Quan and Liu Bei as external allies. Cao Cao was furious. He had Mu Shun confined in a secret chamber and interrogated, but Mu Shun refused to confess. That same night, Cao Cao mustered three thousand armored soldiers and surrounded Fu Wan’s private residence. Young and old alike were arrested, and a search uncovered the letter written in Empress Fu’s own hand. Cao Cao then had all three branches of the Fu clan imprisoned. At daybreak, he sent Xi Lü with the imperial guards and a staff of authority into the palace to confiscate the empress’s seal and ribbon of office.

That day, the emperor was in the outer hall when he saw Xi Lü lead three hundred armored soldiers straight inside. The emperor asked, “What is the matter?” Xi Lü replied, “By order of the Duke of Wei, I have come to confiscate the empress’s seal.” The emperor knew the plot had been exposed, and his heart and courage shattered. Xi Lü went into the inner palace just as Empress Fu was rising. He summoned the keeper of the seals, demanded the jade seal, and carried it away. Empress Fu knew that the matter had been discovered and hid inside a partition wall in the pepper chamber behind the hall. A short while later, Hua Xin, Director of the Imperial Secretariat, led five hundred soldiers into the rear hall and asked the palace women, “Where is Empress Fu?” They all claimed not to know. Hua Xin ordered the armored soldiers to break open the vermilion doors. They searched but could not find her. Guessing that she was inside the wall, he shouted for the soldiers to break through it and search. Hua Xin personally seized the empress by her topknot and dragged her out. The empress said, “Please spare my life!” Hua Xin rebuked her: “Go plead your case before the Duke of Wei yourself!” With her hair disheveled and her feet bare, she was shoved outside by two armored soldiers.

Hua Xin had long enjoyed a literary reputation and had once been close friends with Bing Yuan and Guan Ning. People of the time called the three men a single dragon: Hua Xin was the dragon’s head, Bing Yuan its belly, and Guan Ning its tail. One day, Guan Ning and Hua Xin were planting vegetables together in a garden when their hoes uncovered a piece of gold. Guan Ning continued hoeing without giving it a glance. Hua Xin picked it up and examined it before throwing it down. On another day, Guan Ning and Hua Xin were sitting together reading when they heard calls outside the gate announcing that a nobleman was passing in a stately carriage. Guan Ning remained seated upright and did not move, but Hua Xin abandoned his book and went to watch. From that time on, Guan Ning despised Hua Xin’s character. He cut their mat in two and sat apart from him, refusing ever again to be his friend. Later, Guan Ning withdrew to Liaodong. He always wore a white cap, and whether sitting or lying down, remained in an upper room without setting foot on the ground. To the end of his life, he refused to serve Wei. Hua Xin, by contrast, first served Sun Quan and later submitted to Cao Cao, and now took part in the arrest of Empress Fu. A later poet lamented Hua Xin:

That day Hua Xin unleashed his vicious scheme,Broke through the wall and seized the empress alive.By aiding tyranny, he gave the tiger wings;For a thousand years, the “dragon’s head” is mocked.

Another poem praised Guan Ning:

In Liaodong, they tell of Guan Ning’s tower;The man is gone, the tower empty, but his name remains.How laughable that Ziyu craved wealth and rank!How could he match the white-capped man’s free grace?

Hua Xin now had Empress Fu driven into the outer hall. When the emperor saw her, he came down from the dais, embraced her, and wept. Hua Xin said, “The Duke of Wei has given his command. Go at once!” The empress wept and said to the emperor, “Can you no longer save my life?” The emperor replied, “I do not even know when my own life will end!” The armored soldiers drove the empress away, and the emperor beat his breast and wailed bitterly. Seeing Xi Lü beside him, the emperor said, “Lord Xi! Can such a thing truly happen beneath Heaven?” Then he collapsed weeping to the floor. Xi Lü ordered the attendants to help the emperor back into the palace.

Hua Xin seized Empress Fu and brought her before Cao Cao. Cao Cao cursed her: “I treated all of you with sincerity, yet you sought to harm me! If I do not kill you, you will surely kill me.” He shouted for his attendants, who beat her to death with their clubs. He then immediately entered the palace and poisoned both sons whom Empress Fu had borne. That same evening, more than two hundred members of the clans of Fu Wan, Mu Shun, and the others were all beheaded in the marketplace. Everyone at court and throughout the land was horrified. It was the eleventh month of the nineteenth year of Jian’an. A later poet lamented:

No age has known such cruelty as Cao Cao’s;Yet what could loyal, righteous Fu Wan do?How pitiful, where emperor and empress were torn apart—Less fortunate than any common wife and husband.

After the death of Empress Fu, Emperor Xian went for days without eating. Cao Cao entered and said, “Your Majesty need not worry. I harbor no disloyal intentions. My daughter is already one of Your Majesty’s noble consorts. She is greatly virtuous and filial and should occupy the principal palace.” How could Emperor Xian dare refuse? On New Year’s Day in the first month of the twentieth year of Jian’an, during the celebrations marking the first morning of the year, Noble Consort Cao, Cao Cao’s daughter, was formally installed as empress in the principal palace. None of the officials dared say a word.

By this time Cao Cao’s power and influence were increasing daily. He convened his chief ministers to discuss conquering Wu and destroying Shu. Jia Xu said, “You must recall Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren so that we may discuss this matter with them.” Cao Cao immediately dispatched messengers to summon them back with all speed, traveling day and night. Xiahou Dun had not yet arrived when Cao Ren came first and entered Cao Cao’s residence that very night to see him. Cao Cao had been drinking and was lying down, while Xu Chu stood inside the hall doors holding a sword. Cao Ren tried to enter, but Xu Chu blocked his way. Cao Ren angrily said, “I am a member of the Cao clan! How dare you obstruct me?” Xu Chu said, “Though you are the lord’s kinsman, General, you are an official commanding an outer garrison. Though I am not related to him, I presently serve as his inner guard. My lord lies drunk in the hall, so I dare not let you enter.” When Cao Cao heard this, he sighed and said, “Xu Chu is a truly loyal minister!”

Within a few days, Xiahou Dun also arrived, and they discussed their campaigns together. Xiahou Dun said, “Wu and Shu cannot be attacked immediately. We should first take Hanzhong from Zhang Lu, then use our victorious troops to attack Shu. It can be conquered in a single surge.” Cao Cao said, “That is exactly what I intend.” He then raised an army and set out on a western campaign. Just so:

Having used his vicious schemes to oppress a feeble lord,He sends his hardened troops to sweep through a distant realm.

What happened afterward is unknown. Read the next chapter for the explanation.