Chapter 79

Pressed by His Brother, Cao Zhi Composes a Poem; Betrayed by His Nephew, Liu Feng Faces Judgment

Now Cao Pi, hearing that Cao Zhang was approaching at the head of an army, asked his officers in alarm what should be done. One man stepped forward and volunteered to go and bring him to submission. The others looked and saw that it was Jia Kui, Grand Master of Remonstrance. Cao Pi was overjoyed and at once ordered Jia Kui to go. Having received his command, Jia Kui left the city and went out to meet Cao Zhang. Cao Zhang asked, “Where are the late king’s seal and cord of office?” Jia Kui answered sternly, “A house has its eldest son, and a state its heir apparent. The late king’s seal and cord are not matters about which Your Lordship should inquire.” Cao Zhang fell silent, then entered the city together with Jia Kui. When they reached the palace gate, Jia Kui asked, “Has Your Lordship come to attend the funeral, or to contest the succession?” Cao Zhang replied, “I have come to attend the funeral. I harbor no other intention.” Jia Kui said, “If you harbor no other intention, why have you brought troops into the city?” Cao Zhang immediately ordered all his officers and soldiers to withdraw, then entered alone and paid his respects to Cao Pi. The two brothers embraced and wept bitterly. Cao Zhang handed over all the troops and horses under his command to Cao Pi. Cao Pi ordered him to return to Yanling and guard his own fief. Cao Zhang bowed farewell and departed.

Thus Cao Pi settled securely upon the royal throne and changed the twenty-fifth year of Jian’an to the first year of Yankang. He appointed Jia Xu Grand Commandant, Hua Xin Chancellor of State, and Wang Lang Censor-in-Chief. Officials high and low were all promoted and rewarded. Cao Cao was posthumously titled King Wu and buried at the High Mound in Ye Commandery. Yu Jin was ordered to supervise the work at the mausoleum. When Yu Jin arrived in obedience to the command, he saw upon the whitewashed wall of the tomb building a painting of Guan Yunchang flooding the Seven Armies and capturing Yu Jin. In the picture, Yunchang sat aloft in stern majesty; Pang De stood furious and unyielding; while Yu Jin knelt prostrate on the ground, pitifully begging for his life. Cao Pi despised Yu Jin because, after his defeat and capture, he had failed to die for his honor, but had surrendered to the enemy and later returned. He had therefore first ordered the scene painted on the whitewashed wall of the tomb building, then deliberately sent Yu Jin there to shame him. When Yu Jin now saw the painting, he was at once humiliated and enraged. His indignation brought on an illness, and before long he died. A later poet sighed over him:

For thirty years men spoke of friendship old;Alas, when danger came, he failed Lord Cao.A man’s true heart no outward eye can know;To paint the tiger, now they traced its bones.

Now Hua Xin memorialized Cao Pi, saying, “The Marquis of Yanling has surrendered his troops and horses and returned to his fief. But Cao Zhi, Marquis of Linzi, and Cao Xiong, Marquis of Xiaohuai, have neither of them come to attend the funeral. By rights, they must be called to account.” Cao Pi agreed and separately dispatched two envoys to the two places to inquire into their guilt. Before many days had passed, the envoy to Xiaohuai returned and reported, “Cao Xiong, Marquis of Xiaohuai, feared punishment and hanged himself.” Cao Pi ordered that he be buried with full honors and posthumously raised him to Prince of Xiaohuai. Another day passed, and the envoy to Linzi returned and reported: “The Marquis of Linzi spends every day drinking deeply with the brothers Ding Yi and Ding Yi, behaving arrogantly and without courtesy. When he heard that an imperial envoy had arrived, the Marquis of Linzi remained seated and did not stir. Ding Yi reviled me, saying, ‘In former days the late king intended to make my lord heir apparent, but was thwarted by slanderous ministers. Now, before the late king has long been dead, you come calling his own flesh and blood to account. Why?’ Ding Yi then said, ‘Since my lord’s intelligence surpasses all others in the age, he should naturally have succeeded to the great position; yet now he has instead been denied it. How can you ministers of the court fail to recognize such talent?’ In his anger, the Marquis of Linzi ordered his guards to beat me out with their staves.”

When Cao Pi heard this, he flew into a rage and at once ordered Xu Chu to take three thousand Tiger Guard troops and hasten to Linzi to arrest Cao Zhi and all his associates. Xu Chu obeyed, led his troops to the city of Linzi, and was barred by its defending commander. Xu Chu cut him down on the spot and drove straight into the city. No one dared withstand his fierce advance, and he proceeded directly to the official residence. There he found Cao Zhi, Ding Yi, Ding Yi, and the others all lying senseless with drink. Xu Chu had them bound, loaded onto carts, and, together with all the subordinate officials of the residence, conveyed under guard to Ye Commandery to await Cao Pi’s judgment. Cao Pi first ordered Ding Yi, Ding Yi, and the rest to be put to death. Ding Yi’s courtesy name was Zhengli, and Ding Yi’s was Jingli. They were men of Pei Commandery and celebrated scholars of their day. When they were killed, many lamented their loss.

Now Cao Pi’s mother, Lady Bian, was deeply grieved when she heard that Cao Xiong had hanged himself. Then she suddenly learned that Cao Zhi had been arrested and that his followers, including Ding Yi, had already been killed, and she was greatly alarmed. She hurried from her apartments and summoned Cao Pi. When Cao Pi saw his mother come forth, he hastened to bow before her. Lady Bian wept and said to him, “Your brother Zhi has always been fond of wine, heedless, and unrestrained. Because he trusted too much in the talent within him, he gave free rein to himself. Remember that you were born of the same mother, and spare his life. Then, even when I descend to the Nine Springs, I shall be able to close my eyes in peace.” Cao Pi replied, “I too deeply cherish his talent. How could I bear to harm him? I intend only to curb his unruly nature. Mother, do not be troubled.”

Lady Bian withdrew, shedding tears. Cao Pi left the side hall and summoned Cao Zhi into his presence. Hua Xin asked, “Was that not the Empress Dowager just now, urging Your Highness not to kill Zijian?” Cao Pi replied, “It was.” Hua Xin said, “Zijian possesses great talent and wisdom; he is no creature destined to remain within a pool. Unless he is removed early, he is certain to become a future danger.” Cao Pi said, “I cannot disobey my mother’s command.” Hua Xin replied, “Everyone says that Zijian can open his mouth and produce a finished composition, but I have never fully believed it. My lord may summon him and put his talent to the test. If he fails, kill him; if he truly succeeds, demote him instead, and thus silence all the scholars of the realm.” Cao Pi followed this counsel. Presently Cao Zhi entered, and in fear and trembling prostrated himself and begged forgiveness. Cao Pi said, “Though in affection you and I are brothers, in duty we stand as sovereign and subject. How dare you presume upon your talent and scorn proper ceremony? While our late father lived, you were forever displaying your writings before others. I have long suspected that you had others compose them for you. I now command you to take seven steps and compose a poem. If you can truly do it, you shall escape death; if you cannot, you shall be punished with the utmost severity, and I will show no indulgence.” Cao Zhi said, “I beg to be given a subject.” At that time an ink painting hung in the hall. It depicted two oxen battling beneath an earthen wall, one of which had fallen into a well and perished. Pointing to the painting, Cao Pi said, “Take this picture as your subject. But in your poem you may not use the words, ‘Two oxen battle beneath a wall; one falls into a well and dies.’” Cao Zhi walked seven steps, and his poem was complete. It read:

Two masses of flesh walked one road,Hollow bones borne on each head.They met beneath an earthen hillAnd suddenly charged and fiercely butted.Of the two foes, both could not prevail;One mass of flesh lies in an earthen pit.It was not that its strength fell short—Its swelling rage had not been wholly spent.

Cao Pi and all his ministers were astonished. Cao Pi then said, “To compose a poem in seven steps still seems slow to me. Can you make another the instant I speak?” Cao Zhi replied, “I beg you to name the subject.” Cao Pi said, “You and I are brothers. Take that as your subject, but again you may not use the word ‘brothers.’” Without the slightest pause for thought, Cao Zhi recited:

Beanstalks burn to boil the beans;The beans within the cauldron weep.Born together from one root,Why such haste to torment me?

On hearing this, Cao Pi’s tears streamed down. His mother, Lady Bian, came forth from behind the hall and said, “Why must the elder press the younger so cruelly?” Cao Pi hastily left his seat and answered, “The laws of the state cannot be set aside.” He then demoted Cao Zhi to Marquis of Anxiang. Cao Zhi bowed farewell, mounted his horse, and departed.

After Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, he entirely renewed the laws and decrees and oppressed the Emperor of Han even more harshly than his father had. Spies soon carried word of this to Chengdu. When the King of Hanzhong heard it, he was greatly alarmed and at once consulted his civil and military officers, saying, “Cao Cao is dead, and Cao Pi has succeeded him. He oppresses the Son of Heaven even more harshly than Cao Cao did. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has meekly declared himself his subject. I intend first to attack Eastern Wu and avenge Yunchang, then to campaign against the Central Plain and destroy the traitorous rebels.” Before he had finished, Liao Hua stepped from the ranks, knelt weeping, and said, “That Lord Guan and his son were murdered was truly the fault of Liu Feng and Meng Da. I beg that these two villains be put to death.” Xuande was about to send men to arrest them when Kongming remonstrated, “You must not. For the present, the matter should be handled gradually. If pressed too hard, they will rebel. Promote both men to commanderies and transfer them separately to different posts. Then they may be arrested.”

Xuande followed his advice and sent an envoy promoting Liu Feng to the command of Mianzhu. Now Peng Yang was on very close terms with Meng Da. When he learned of this, he hurried home, wrote a letter, and sent a trusted confidant galloping to warn Meng Da. The messenger had only just passed beyond the southern gate when he was seized by troops under Ma Chao, who was inspecting the defenses, and taken before him. After questioning the man and learning the whole affair, Ma Chao went at once to see Peng Yang. Peng Yang received him within and set out wine to entertain him. After several rounds of wine, Ma Chao sounded him out, saying, “In former days the King of Hanzhong treated you most generously. Why has his favor gradually cooled?” Peng Yang, being drunk, bitterly reviled Xuande: “That senile old hide is witless and perverse! I shall certainly find a way to repay him!” Ma Chao probed further, saying, “I too have long harbored resentment against him.” Peng Yang said, “Raise the troops under your command and join with Meng Da to support us from without. I shall lead the troops of Shu in response from within. Then the great enterprise may be accomplished.” Ma Chao replied, “Your words are most apt. We shall discuss it further tomorrow.” Taking leave of Peng Yang, Ma Chao immediately delivered both the messenger and the letter to the King of Hanzhong and recounted the entire affair in detail. Xuande was furious and ordered Peng Yang arrested, imprisoned, and interrogated under torture. In prison Peng Yang repented, but it was too late. Xuande asked Kongming, “Peng Yang intended rebellion. How should he be dealt with?” Kongming replied, “Though Peng Yang is merely a wild and reckless scholar, if he is allowed to live, he will eventually cause disaster.” Xuande therefore bestowed death upon Peng Yang in prison.

After Peng Yang’s death, someone carried the news to Meng Da. Meng Da was greatly alarmed and lost all composure. Suddenly an envoy arrived with orders transferring Liu Feng back to the defense of Mianzhu, and Liu Feng departed. In his panic, Meng Da summoned the brothers Shen Dan and Shen Yi, commandants of Shangyong and Fangling, to consult with him. He said, “Fa Xiaozhi and I both rendered meritorious service to the King of Hanzhong. Now Xiaozhi is dead, while the King of Hanzhong has forgotten my former achievements and intends to harm me. What am I to do?” Shen Dan replied, “I have a plan by which the King of Hanzhong will be unable to harm you.” Meng Da was delighted and urgently asked what the plan was. Shen Dan said, “My brother and I have long wished to go over to Wei. You may write a memorial taking leave of the King of Hanzhong, then submit to Cao Pi, King of Wei. Cao Pi is certain to employ you in an important post. The two of us will follow afterward and surrender as well.” Meng Da suddenly saw the way clear. He immediately wrote a memorial and entrusted it to the envoy; that very night he led more than fifty horsemen away to join Wei. The envoy carried the memorial back to Chengdu and reported to the King of Hanzhong that Meng Da had gone over to Wei. The First Ruler was furious and read Meng Da’s memorial, which said:

Your subject Da humbly reflects that Your Highness intends to establish achievements like those of Yi Yin and Lü Shang and to rival the deeds of Dukes Huan and Wen. When your great enterprise was first begun, you borrowed strength from the lands of Wu and Chu; therefore, men of ability and ambition followed your renown and returned to your allegiance. Since I pledged myself to Your Highness, my offenses have mounted as high as a mountain. Even I am aware of them—how much more must my lord be? Now the gifted and heroic gather in shoals at your royal court. Within, I possess no capacity to assist in counsel; without, I possess no talent for command. When ranked among your meritorious officers, I truly have cause to be ashamed.

Your subject has heard that Fan Li discerned the first subtle signs and sailed away upon the Five Lakes, while Jiu Fan begged forgiveness and withdrew hesitantly by the bank of the Yellow River. Why, when the bond between ruler and minister reaches its end, does a man ask leave and beg release from service? It is because he wishes to preserve a clear distinction between honorable departure and dishonorable defection. How much more does this apply to one as low and unworthy as I, who has achieved no supreme merit or mighty feat? Finding myself bound to the circumstances of the age, I have privately admired the worthy men of old and long thought of escaping disgrace before it overtook me. In former times, Shensheng was perfectly filial, yet was suspected by his own father; Wu Zixu was perfectly loyal, yet was put to death by his sovereign; Meng Tian expanded the frontier, yet suffered the extreme penalty; Yue Yi crushed the state of Qi, yet fell victim to slanderous flatterers. Whenever I read their stories, I have never failed to sigh with emotion and shed tears. Now that I personally confront such a fate, my grief is deeper still.

Recently Jingzhou was overwhelmed and defeated; a great minister lost his honor, and scarcely one man in a hundred returned. I alone followed the course of events and made my own way to Fangling and Shangyong, and now I again beg release from service and exile myself beyond your borders. I humbly trust that Your Highness, in the compassion of your sagely grace, will understand my heart and look with pity upon my act. I am indeed a petty man, unable to remain constant from beginning to end. I know what I do, and dare I say it is not a crime? Yet I have often heard it said, “When friendship is severed, let no evil words be spoken; when a subject departs, let him utter no complaint.” I have received more than my share of instruction among gentlemen, and I pray that my lord the king will also heed this maxim. Your subject is overcome with fear and trembling.

When Xuande had finished reading, he cried in fury, “This wretch has betrayed me! How dare he mock me with fine phrases?” He at once intended to raise an army and seize him. Kongming said, “You may send Liu Feng to advance against him and let the two tigers maul each other. Whether Liu Feng wins merit or suffers defeat, he is certain to return to Chengdu, where he can be removed. Thus both evils may be eliminated.” Xuande followed his advice and dispatched an envoy to Mianzhu to convey his command to Liu Feng. Liu Feng received the order and led his troops forth to capture Meng Da.

Now Cao Pi was assembled with his civil and military officers to discuss affairs when a close attendant suddenly reported, “The Shu general Meng Da has come to surrender.” Cao Pi summoned Meng Da and asked him, “Have you come here under the pretense of surrender?” Meng Da replied, “Because I failed to rescue Lord Guan in his peril, the King of Hanzhong intended to kill me. Fearing punishment, I have therefore come to surrender. I harbor no other intention.” Cao Pi was still not fully convinced when a report suddenly arrived that Liu Feng was leading fifty thousand troops to seize Xiangyang and had singled out Meng Da for combat. Cao Pi said, “If you are truly sincere, go to Xiangyang and bring me Liu Feng’s head. Only then will I believe you.” Meng Da replied, “I shall explain the advantages and dangers to him. There will be no need to move the troops, and I can induce Liu Feng to surrender as well.” Cao Pi was delighted. He appointed Meng Da Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary, General Who Establishes Martial Might, Marquis of Pingyang Village, and concurrently Administrator of Xincheng, and sent him to guard Xiangyang and Fancheng. Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang were already at Xiangyang, preparing to seize the various districts of Shangyong. When Meng Da reached Xiangyang and had exchanged courtesies with the two generals, his scouts learned that Liu Feng had encamped fifty li outside the city. Meng Da immediately wrote a letter and sent a man to carry it to the Shu camp and invite Liu Feng to surrender. When Liu Feng read the letter, he cried in fury, “This villain has destroyed the bond between my uncle and me, and has also estranged my father from his son, making me a man without loyalty or filial devotion!” He tore the letter to pieces and beheaded the messenger. The next day he led his army forward and challenged Meng Da to battle.

When Meng Da learned that Liu Feng had torn up his letter and beheaded his messenger, he flew into a rage and led his own troops out to meet him. The two armies drew up facing one another. Liu Feng halted his horse beneath the gate banner, pointed his saber, and reviled Meng Da: “Traitorous rebel who has betrayed his country, how dare you speak such wild words!” Meng Da replied, “Death is already upon you, yet still you cling blindly to your delusions!” Liu Feng was enraged. Spurring his horse and whirling his saber, he charged straight at Meng Da. Before three bouts had been fought, Meng Da turned and fled. Liu Feng pursued the apparent advantage for more than twenty li. Suddenly a great shout arose and hidden troops poured out on every side. Xiahou Shang attacked from the left, Xu Huang from the right, and Meng Da wheeled around to renew the battle. The three armies closed upon Liu Feng at once. Liu Feng suffered a crushing defeat and fled, making his way through the night back to Shangyong with the Wei troops close behind. When he reached the foot of the walls and called for the gate to be opened, a storm of arrows shot down from above. Shen Dan called from the gate tower, “I have already surrendered to Wei!” Liu Feng was furious and wished to attack the city, but the pursuing troops were nearly upon him. Unable to maintain his position, he had no choice but to flee toward Fangling, where he saw that the walls were already covered with the banners of Wei. Shen Yi waved a signal flag from the gate tower, and a body of troops swept out from behind the city. Upon their banner was written in large characters: “Xu Huang, General of the Right.” Unable to withstand them, Liu Feng hastily fled toward the Western Riverlands. Xu Huang pressed the advantage and pursued him. With only a little more than a hundred horsemen remaining, Liu Feng reached Chengdu, entered the presence of the King of Hanzhong, and knelt weeping as he recounted all that had happened. Xuande angrily cried, “Shameful wretch! How have you the face to return and see me?” Liu Feng said, “When my uncle was in peril, it was not that your son refused to rescue him. I was prevented by Meng Da’s counsel.” Xuande’s anger mounted. “You eat the food of men and wear the clothes of men—you are no clay or wooden effigy! How could you allow a slanderous villain to stop you?” He ordered his attendants to take Liu Feng out and behead him. After the King of Hanzhong had executed Liu Feng, he learned that Meng Da had tried to persuade him to surrender, and that Liu Feng had torn up the letter and killed the messenger. He greatly regretted what he had done. His grief for Lord Guan also brought on an illness, and therefore he kept his armies in place and made no move.

Now Cao Pi, King of Wei, after ascending the royal throne, promoted and rewarded all his civil and military officials. He then mustered three hundred thousand armored troops and made a southern tour to Qiao County in the state of Pei, where he held a great sacrificial feast at the ancestral tombs. The elders of his native district thronged the road amid clouds of dust and presented cups of wine, imitating the welcome given to Emperor Gaozu of Han when he returned to Pei. Then news came that the General-in-Chief Xiahou Dun was gravely ill, and Cao Pi immediately returned to Ye Commandery. By then Xiahou Dun had died. Cao Pi donned mourning for him and buried him with lavish honors.

In the eighth month of that year, reports came that a phoenix had descended auspiciously in Shiyi County, a qilin had appeared at the city of Linzi, and a yellow dragon had manifested itself in Ye Commandery. Thereupon Li Fu, General of the Gentlemen of the Household, and Xu Zhi, Assistant Grand Astrologer, conferred together: these many auspicious signs heralded that Wei should replace Han. The rites of abdication should therefore be prepared, and the Emperor of Han induced to yield the realm to Cao Pi, King of Wei. Accordingly, together with Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, Huan Jie, and a company of more than forty civil and military officials, they went straight into the inner hall and memorialized Emperor Xian of Han, asking him to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi, King of Wei. Truly:

The house of Wei shall now erect its throne;The rivers and hills of Han are swept away.

How Emperor Xian answered will be revealed in the next chapter.

Pressed by His Brother, Cao Zhi Composes a Poem; Betrayed by His Nephew, Liu Feng Faces Judgment

Now Cao Pi, hearing that Cao Zhang was approaching with troops, anxiously questioned his officials. One man stepped forward and offered to go and bring Cao Zhang to submission. When the others looked, they saw that it was Jia Kui, Grand Master of Remonstrance. Cao Pi was delighted and immediately ordered Jia Kui to go. Jia Kui accepted the command, left the city, and met Cao Zhang. Cao Zhang asked, “Where are the late king’s seal and sash?” Jia Kui answered sternly, “A family has its eldest son, and a state has its heir apparent. The late king’s seal and sash are not matters Your Lordship should be asking about.” Cao Zhang fell silent and entered the city with Jia Kui. When they reached the palace gate, Jia Kui asked, “Has Your Lordship come to attend the funeral, or to contend for the throne?” Cao Zhang replied, “I have come to attend the funeral. I have no other intention.” Jia Kui said, “If you have no other intention, why have you brought troops into the city?” Cao Zhang immediately ordered all the officers and soldiers around him to withdraw, then entered alone and paid his respects to Cao Pi. The two brothers embraced and wept bitterly. Cao Zhang turned over all the troops and horses under his command to Cao Pi. Cao Pi ordered him to return to Yanling and guard his own domain. Cao Zhang bowed farewell and departed.

Cao Pi then securely assumed the royal throne and changed the twenty-fifth year of Jian’an to the first year of Yankang. He appointed Jia Xu Grand Commandant, Hua Xin Chancellor of State, and Wang Lang Censor-in-Chief. Officials high and low were all promoted and rewarded. Cao Cao was given the posthumous title King Wu and buried at Gaoling in Ye Commandery. Yu Jin was ordered to oversee the work on the tomb. When Yu Jin arrived there in obedience to the command, he saw a painting on one of the tomb building’s whitewashed walls depicting Guan Yunchang flooding the Seven Armies and capturing Yu Jin. In the painting, Yunchang sat above in solemn dignity; Pang De stood furious and unyielding; and Yu Jin prostrated himself on the ground, pitifully begging for his life. It turned out that Cao Pi despised Yu Jin for having been defeated and captured, failing to die honorably, surrendering to the enemy, and then returning. He had therefore ordered the scene painted beforehand on the whitewashed wall of the tomb building and deliberately sent Yu Jin there to make him ashamed. When Yu Jin saw the image, he was both humiliated and enraged. His anger brought on an illness, and before long he died. A later poet lamented:

For thirty years they spoke of friendship old;How pitiful that, faced with danger, he proved false to Cao.One’s knowledge of a man lies hidden until his heart is known;Now from the very bones the tiger’s portrait has been drawn.

Hua Xin then reported to Cao Pi, “The Marquis of Yanling has handed over his troops and horses and departed for his own domain. But the Marquis of Linzi, Cao Zhi, and the Marquis of Xiaohuai, Cao Xiong, have neither come to attend the funeral. They should be called to account.” Cao Pi agreed and separately dispatched two envoys to the two places to investigate their offenses. Before many days had passed, the envoy to Xiaohuai returned and reported, “The Marquis of Xiaohuai, Cao Xiong, feared punishment and hanged himself.” Cao Pi ordered that he be buried with full honors and posthumously elevated him to Prince of Xiaohuai. Another day passed, and the envoy to Linzi returned and reported: “The Marquis of Linzi spends every day drinking heavily with the brothers Ding Yi and Ding Yi, behaving insolently and without proper respect. When he heard that the royal envoy had arrived, the Marquis of Linzi remained seated and did not move. Ding Yi cursed me, saying, ‘In the past, the late king intended to make my lord his heir, but slanderous ministers prevented it. Now the king has scarcely been laid to rest, and already you come to accuse one of his own flesh and blood. Why?’ Ding Yi then said, ‘Considering that my lord’s intelligence surpasses everyone in the world, he naturally ought to have succeeded to the supreme position, yet now he has not been allowed to inherit it. How can you ministers of the court be so incapable of recognizing talent?’ The Marquis of Linzi then angrily ordered his guards to drive me out with a beating from their staves.”

When Cao Pi heard this, he flew into a rage and immediately ordered Xu Chu to lead three thousand Tiger Guard troops to Linzi with all speed and seize Cao Zhi and his entire party. Xu Chu accepted the order and led his troops to Linzi. When the defending commander tried to stop him, Xu Chu cut him down on the spot and charged straight into the city. No one dared oppose his advance, and he went directly to the government hall. There he found Cao Zhi, Ding Yi, Ding Yi, and the others all lying senseless from drink. Xu Chu had them all bound, loaded onto carts, and taken under guard to Ye Commandery, together with every official of the household, high and low, to await Cao Pi’s judgment. Cao Pi issued an order that Ding Yi, Ding Yi, and the others be executed first. Ding Yi’s courtesy name was Zhengli, and Ding Yi’s was Jingli. They were men of Pei Commandery and distinguished literary figures of their time. When they were killed, many mourned their loss.

Cao Pi’s mother, Lady Bian, was deeply grieved when she heard that Cao Xiong had hanged himself. Then, when she suddenly heard that Cao Zhi had been seized and that Ding Yi and the others of his party had already been killed, she was greatly alarmed. She hurried out of her palace and summoned Cao Pi. When Cao Pi saw that his mother had come out, he rushed over and bowed before her. Lady Bian wept and said to him, “Your brother Zhi has always loved wine and behaved with wild carelessness. It was only because he relied upon the talent within him that he gave himself such license. For the sake of the bond between brothers born of the same mother, spare his life. Then even when I descend to the Nine Springs, I will be able to close my eyes in peace.” Cao Pi said, “I, too, deeply cherish his talent. How could I bear to harm him? I only mean to correct his behavior. Mother, do not worry.”

Lady Bian went back inside, shedding tears. Cao Pi left the side hall and summoned Cao Zhi into his presence. Hua Xin asked, “Was it not the Empress Dowager who just now urged Your Highness not to kill Zijian?” Cao Pi said, “It was.” Hua Xin said, “Zijian possesses both talent and wisdom. He is no creature destined to remain within a pool. Unless he is eliminated early, he will certainly become a future danger.” Cao Pi said, “I cannot disobey my mother’s command.” Hua Xin said, “Everyone says that Zijian can open his mouth and produce a finished composition, but I have never fully believed it. My lord may summon him and test his talent. If he cannot do it, kill him. If he truly can, then demote him, thereby silencing the literary men of the realm.” Cao Pi agreed. Presently Cao Zhi entered, prostrated himself in fear, and begged forgiveness. Cao Pi said, “Though you and I are brothers by affection, by duty we are sovereign and subject. How dare you rely on your talent and scorn proper conduct? When our late father was alive, you constantly flaunted your compositions before others. I have long suspected that you must have had someone else write them for you. I now give you seven steps in which to compose a poem. If you can truly do so, you will be spared death. If you cannot, you will be severely punished and by no means pardoned.” Cao Zhi said, “I ask only for a subject.” At that time, an ink painting hung in the hall. It showed two oxen fighting beneath an earthen wall, with one ox falling into a well and dying. Pointing to the painting, Cao Pi said, “Take this painting as your subject. But in the poem you may not use the words, ‘Two oxen fight beneath a wall; one ox falls into a well and dies.’” Cao Zhi took seven steps, and his poem was complete. It read:

Two masses of flesh walked along the same road,Each bearing curved bones upon its head.They met below an earthen mound,And suddenly charged and struck each other.Two foes cannot both remain strong;One mass of flesh lies in an earthen pit.It was not that its strength was less,But that its fierce spirit could not be fully spent.

Cao Pi and all the assembled officials were astonished. Cao Pi then said, “To complete a composition in seven steps still seems slow to me. Can you compose a poem the instant I speak?” Cao Zhi said, “Please name the subject at once.” Cao Pi said, “You and I are brothers. Take that as your subject, but again you may not use the word ‘brothers.’” Without pausing to think, Cao Zhi immediately recited:

Beanstalks burn beneath the boiling beans;The beans within the pot cry out:“We sprang from the selfsame root—Why are you so eager to torment me?”

When Cao Pi heard this, tears streamed down his face. His mother, Lady Bian, emerged from behind the hall and said, “Why does an elder brother persecute his younger brother so cruelly?” Cao Pi hurriedly rose from his seat and explained, “The laws of the state cannot be set aside.” He then demoted Cao Zhi to Marquis of Anxiang. Cao Zhi bowed farewell, mounted his horse, and departed.

After succeeding to the throne, Cao Pi completely revised the laws and decrees and intimidated the Emperor of Han even more than his father had. Spies soon carried word to Chengdu. When the King of Hanzhong heard it, he was greatly alarmed and immediately conferred with his civil and military officials, saying, “Cao Cao is dead, and Cao Pi has succeeded him. He intimidates the Son of Heaven even more than Cao Cao did. Sun Quan of Eastern Wu has meekly submitted as his subject. I intend first to attack Eastern Wu and avenge Yunchang, and then to campaign against the Central Plains and eliminate the traitorous rebels.” Before he finished speaking, Liao Hua stepped out from the ranks, wept, and bowed to the ground, saying, “The deaths of Lord Guan and his son were truly the fault of Liu Feng and Meng Da. I beg you to execute these two villains.” Xuande was about to send men to seize them, but Kongming remonstrated, “You must not. This should be handled slowly. If pressed too urgently, they will rebel. You may promote these two men to commandery governors and transfer them separately to different posts. After that, they can be seized.”

Xuande followed his advice and dispatched an envoy to promote Liu Feng and send him to guard Mianzhu. Now Peng Yang was very close to Meng Da. When he learned of this, he hurried home, wrote a letter, and sent a trusted man galloping to warn Meng Da. The messenger had only just passed through the southern gate when he was captured by troops under Ma Chao who were patrolling the area and taken before Ma Chao. After questioning him and learning what had happened, Ma Chao went to see Peng Yang. Peng Yang received him inside and served him wine. After they had drunk several rounds, Ma Chao probed him with words, saying, “The King of Hanzhong once treated you very generously. Why has his favor toward you gradually diminished?” Peng Yang, being drunk, cursed resentfully, “That old fool is muddleheaded and perverse! I will certainly find some way to repay him!” Ma Chao tested him further, saying, “I, too, have harbored resentment for a long time.” Peng Yang said, “Raise the troops under your command and join with Meng Da to support us from outside. I will lead the troops of Sichuan and respond from within. Then great things can be accomplished.” Ma Chao said, “Your words are entirely right. We will discuss it again tomorrow.” Ma Chao took leave of Peng Yang and immediately delivered both the man and the letter to the King of Hanzhong, recounting the entire affair in detail. Xuande was furious and at once ordered Peng Yang arrested and imprisoned, where he was tortured and questioned about the plot. In prison Peng Yang regretted his actions, but it was too late. Xuande asked Kongming, “Peng Yang intended to rebel. How should he be dealt with?” Kongming said, “Though Peng Yang is merely a reckless eccentric, if he is allowed to live, he will eventually cause disaster.” Xuande therefore granted Peng Yang death in prison.

After Peng Yang’s death, someone carried the news to Meng Da. Meng Da was greatly alarmed, and his every movement betrayed his confusion. Just then an envoy arrived with orders transferring Liu Feng back to guard Mianzhu, and Liu Feng departed. In a panic, Meng Da invited the commandants of Shangyong and Fangling, the brothers Shen Dan and Shen Yi, to consult with him. He said, “Fa Xiaozhi and I both rendered meritorious service to the King of Hanzhong. Now Xiaozhi is dead, and the King of Hanzhong has forgotten my former service and intends to harm me. What am I to do?” Shen Dan said, “I have a plan that will prevent the King of Hanzhong from harming you.” Meng Da was delighted and eagerly asked what the plan was. Shen Dan said, “My brother and I have long wished to join Wei. You can write a memorial taking leave of the King of Hanzhong and submit to Cao Pi, the King of Wei. Cao Pi will certainly give you an important appointment. The two of us will then follow and surrender as well.” Meng Da suddenly understood. He immediately wrote a memorial and entrusted it to the envoy. That same night, he led more than fifty horsemen away and defected to Wei. The envoy carried the memorial back to Chengdu and reported to the King of Hanzhong that Meng Da had defected to Wei. The First Ruler was furious and read the memorial, which said:

Your subject Da humbly reflects that Your Highness is about to establish achievements like those of Yi Yin and Lü Shang and emulate the accomplishments of Duke Huan and Duke Wen. When your great enterprise was first being founded, you borrowed the power of Wu and Chu. For that reason, men of ambition heard of you from afar and came to offer their allegiance. Since I pledged myself to you, my transgressions have piled up like mountains. Even I am aware of them; how much more must my lord be? Now the gifted and heroic gather at your royal court like scales upon a fish. Within, I lack the ability to serve as a counselor; without, I lack the talent to command troops. Ranked among your meritorious officials, I truly have reason to be ashamed.

I have heard that Fan Li perceived the first subtle signs of danger and sailed away upon the Five Lakes, while Jiu Fan took leave after acknowledging his fault and withdrew along the banks of the Yellow River. Why, when circumstances change, does a man ask leave and seek his freedom? It is because he wishes to keep clear the distinction between joining and departing. How much more is this true of one as low and insignificant as I, who possesses no great achievement or extraordinary merit? Finding myself bound to the present circumstances, I have secretly admired those worthy men of the past and long thought of removing myself before disgrace overtook me. In former times, Shen Sheng was perfectly filial, yet was suspected by his own father; Wu Zixu was perfectly loyal, yet was executed by his lord; Meng Tian expanded the frontiers, yet suffered the supreme punishment; Yue Yi crushed Qi, yet fell victim to slanderous courtiers. Whenever I read their stories, I have never failed to sigh deeply and shed tears. Now that I personally face such circumstances, my grief is greater still.

Recently Jingzhou was destroyed in defeat, a great minister lost his honor, and not one man in a hundred returned. I alone sought to recover the situation and made my own way to Fangling and Shangyong. Now I once more beg leave to free myself and remain outside your domain. I humbly trust that Your Highness, in your sage benevolence, will understand and take pity on my heart and view my action with compassion. I am indeed a petty man, unable to remain constant from beginning to end. Knowing this and acting nonetheless, how dare I say that I am without fault? I have often heard it said, “When breaking off a friendship, speak no evil words; when a subject departs, let him utter no resentful complaint.” I have received this teaching from men of virtue, and I pray that my lord the king will heed it. I am overcome with fear and trembling.

When Xuande finished reading, he said furiously, “That wretch has betrayed me! How dare he mock me with elegant phrases?” He immediately wanted to raise troops and seize him. Kongming said, “You may send Liu Feng to advance against him and let the two tigers fight each other. Whether Liu Feng wins merit or suffers defeat, he will certainly return to Chengdu. You can then eliminate him and rid yourself of both dangers.” Xuande followed his advice and sent an envoy to Mianzhu to convey his command to Liu Feng. Liu Feng accepted the order and led his troops out to seize Meng Da.

Cao Pi was meeting with his civil and military officials when a close attendant suddenly reported, “The Shu general Meng Da has come to surrender.” Cao Pi summoned him and asked, “Have you come here only to feign surrender?” Meng Da said, “Because I failed to rescue Lord Guan from danger, the King of Hanzhong intended to kill me. Fearing punishment, I have come to surrender. I have no other intention.” Cao Pi still did not fully believe him. Just then a report arrived that Liu Feng was leading fifty thousand troops against Xiangyang and had specifically challenged Meng Da to fight. Cao Pi said, “If you are truly sincere, go to Xiangyang and bring me Liu Feng’s head. Only then will I believe you.” Meng Da said, “I will explain the advantages and dangers to him. There will be no need to move the troops, and I will induce Liu Feng to surrender as well.” Cao Pi was delighted. He appointed Meng Da Cavalier-in-Regular-Attendance, General Who Establishes Martial Might, and Marquis of Pingyang Village, and placed him in charge of Xincheng Commandery, with orders to guard Xiangyang and Fancheng. Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang were already at Xiangyang, preparing to seize the various territories of Shangyong. When Meng Da reached Xiangyang, he exchanged formal courtesies with the two generals and learned from scouts that Liu Feng had encamped fifty li from the city. Meng Da immediately wrote a letter and sent a man to carry it to the Shu camp and invite Liu Feng to surrender. After reading the letter, Liu Feng said furiously, “This villain destroyed the bond between my uncle and me and also alienated my father from his son, making me both disloyal and unfilial!” He tore the letter to pieces and beheaded the messenger. The following day, he led his army forward to issue a challenge.

When Meng Da learned that Liu Feng had torn up his letter and beheaded his envoy, he flew into a rage and led his troops out to meet him. Once the two battle lines were drawn up, Liu Feng reined in his horse beneath the gate banner, pointed with his saber, and cursed, “Traitor who has betrayed his state, how dare you speak such nonsense!” Meng Da said, “Death is already upon you, yet you remain stubbornly deluded and refuse to understand!” Liu Feng was enraged. He spurred his horse forward, whirled his saber, and charged straight at Meng Da. They had fought fewer than three bouts when Meng Da turned and fled. Liu Feng took advantage of his retreat and pursued him for more than twenty li. Suddenly a shout arose, and the ambushing troops poured out. Xiahou Shang attacked from the left, Xu Huang from the right, and Meng Da turned back to renew the fight. The three armies attacked Liu Feng from all sides. Liu Feng was utterly defeated and fled, traveling all night back to Shangyong while the Wei troops pursued close behind. When Liu Feng reached the city walls and called for the gate to be opened, a shower of arrows came down from above. Shen Dan called from the gate tower, “I have already surrendered to Wei!” Liu Feng was furious and wanted to attack the city, but the pursuing army was nearly upon him. Unable to maintain his position, he had no choice but to flee toward Fangling. When he arrived, he saw that Wei banners had already been planted all along the city walls. Shen Yi waved a signal flag from the gate tower, and a body of troops charged out from behind the city. Their banner bore the large words: “Xu Huang, General of the Right.” Unable to withstand them, Liu Feng hurriedly fled toward Western Sichuan. Xu Huang pressed the advantage and pursued, cutting down his men. Liu Feng had only a little over a hundred horsemen left when he reached Chengdu. He entered the presence of the King of Hanzhong, bowed weeping to the ground, and reported everything that had happened. Xuande angrily said, “Shameful wretch! How do you have the face to come back and see me?” Liu Feng said, “It was not that your son refused to rescue Uncle from danger. Meng Da dissuaded and prevented me.” Xuande’s anger only increased. “You eat another man’s food and wear another man’s clothes! You are not a puppet made of earth or wood! How could you let a slanderous villain stop you?” He ordered the attendants to drag Liu Feng out and behead him. After the King of Hanzhong had executed Liu Feng, he learned that Meng Da had tried to recruit him and that Liu Feng had torn up the letter and beheaded the envoy. He deeply regretted his decision. He was also stricken with grief over Lord Guan and consequently fell ill. For this reason, he took no military action.

Now Cao Pi, King of Wei, had promoted and rewarded all his civil and military officials after assuming the royal throne. He then led three hundred thousand armored troops south on an inspection tour to Qiao County in the state of Pei, where he held a grand sacrificial feast at the ancestral graves. The village elders raised clouds of dust as they crowded the road, presenting cups and offering wine in imitation of Emperor Gaozu of Han when he returned to Pei. Then word came that the General-in-Chief, Xiahou Dun, was gravely ill, and Cao Pi immediately returned to Ye Commandery. By then Xiahou Dun had already died. Cao Pi donned mourning and buried him with full honors.

In the eighth month of that year, reports stated that a phoenix had appeared at Shiyi County, a qilin had appeared in the city of Linzi, and a yellow dragon had appeared in Ye Commandery. Colonel of the Internal Guard Li Fu and Assistant Grand Astrologer Xu Zhi therefore conferred and concluded that these various auspicious signs indicated that Wei was destined to replace Han. Arrangements could now be made for the ceremony of abdication, in which the Emperor of Han would yield the realm to Cao Pi, King of Wei. Together with Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, Huan Jie, and more than forty other civil and military officials, they went directly into the inner palace and presented a memorial to Emperor Xian of Han, asking him to abdicate in favor of Cao Pi, King of Wei. As the verse says:

The house and altars of Wei are now about to rise;The rivers and mountains of Han have suddenly changed hands.

How Emperor Xian answered will be revealed in the next chapter.