During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, many powerful individuals recruited soldiers locally and allied with the imperial court to suppress the rebel forces. When attacking the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan, the regional warlord Cao Cao and the official Lu Zhi nearly annihilated the entire rebel army, for which both received rewards from the emperor, with Cao Cao being appointed as the Chancellor of Jinan.
After Dong Zhuo seized power, Cao Cao was unwilling to serve as an official under him. Later, when Wang Yun allied with ministers to oppose Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao joined the cause with his own forces and made significant contributions in eliminating Dong Zhuo's trusted followers.
Now let's talk about Liu Bei. Initially, he led a group of people to join the forces suppressing the rebel army. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion ended, Liu Bei and his followers sought refuge with the powerful Cao Cao. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were rare military talents, so Cao Cao naturally admired them. As for Liu Bei, he was physically weak, lacked strategic skills, and was a descendant of the Han imperial family. Cao Cao not only failed to appreciate him but also remained highly wary, fearing that Liu Bei might use his royal lineage to rally the realm under his command.
The reason Cao Cao was so worried was that, following Dong Zhuo's example, he had also taken the emperor hostage to command the nobles. Cao Cao kept Emperor Xian of Han imprisoned by his side and moved the capital from Luoyang to Xudu (present-day Xuchang, Henan), acting no differently from Dong Zhuo. What was puzzling was that Liu Bei, who had originally not been favored by him, was unexpectedly appointed General of the Left, which made Liu Bei terrified that Cao Cao might kill him one day. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were also worried about Liu Bei, but since they often had to lead troops on campaigns and couldn't always stay by his side, after much thought, Liu Bei simply stayed at home, growing vegetables and watering flowers, completely ignoring worldly affairs.
Ever since Yuan Shao fell out with Dong Zhuo and fled to Jizhou, he began recruiting soldiers and expanding his power there on a large scale. Before long, Yuan Shao had amassed an army of one hundred thousand troops, establishing himself as a local warlord, and he harbored ambitions of using his military strength to declare independence.
Faced with this situation, Cao Cao felt deeply uneasy—having Liu Bei by his side was already troublesome enough, and now Yuan Shao was also vying for supremacy over the realm. With this in mind, Cao Cao decided to first sound out Liu Bei's intentions.
On this day, Liu Bei was busy working in his own vegetable garden when suddenly Xu Chu and Zhang Liao, who served under Cao Cao, rushed in with their attendants to take Liu Bei to Cao Cao's residence. Liu Bei was terrified and at a loss, trembling as he asked what was happening, but Zhang Liao and Xu Chu did not reply, only reiterating that Cao Cao had invited him. Having no choice, Liu Bei had to put down his work and follow them out of his home.
Upon arriving at Cao's residence, Cao Cao came out smiling to welcome Liu Bei, saying, "Xuande, you must have accomplished some great deeds at home!" Liu Bei was so startled that he couldn't speak and was about to explain when Cao Cao led him to the rear garden and added, "It's rare for you to have the leisure to tend vegetables and water flowers at home." Hearing this, Liu Bei's anxious heart finally settled, and he quickly clasped his hands and said to Cao Cao, "I was just bored at home, so I planted some vegetables to pass the time." Cao Cao said, "Today I noticed the green plums hanging from the branches and thought to invite you for some wine and conversation." With that, Cao Cao and Liu Bei entered a small pavilion in the garden, where they drank and chatted joyfully, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Halfway through the feast, the sky suddenly darkened, and thick black clouds pressed low, signaling an impending storm. Cao Cao stood up, leaned on the railing to gaze at the sky, and Liu Bei stood beside him. Cao Cao asked, "Xuande, do you know that the dragon can undergo countless transformations?" Liu Bei replied, "I am not clear on that; I would be glad to hear the details." Cao Cao said, "The dragon can change into various forms, large or small, riding clouds and mist, and can also become invisible. When it hides somewhere, that place is sure to show unusual signs. People often use the dragon as a metaphor for heroes. I think you have traveled widely in the past and gained rich experience—you must know who the true heroes are in the world today." Hearing this, Liu Bei finally understood Cao Cao's real intention. He tried to brush it off, but Cao Cao wouldn't let him off easily. So Liu Bei pretended to know nothing and said carelessly, "I've often heard people say that Yuan Shao comes from a prestigious family with four generations of high officials. Now he commands a hundred thousand troops in Jizhou and has many capable advisors. Surely he must be the hero you mean? Or perhaps Yuan Shu—both brothers have the bearing of rulers." Cao Cao said disdainfully, "Yuan Shao is nothing but a petty man—he rushes headlong into profit and shrinks back at the first sign of difficulty, completely unworthy of the title of hero. As for Yuan Shu, he's even worse; I'll crush him sooner or later." Liu Bei added, "I've heard of a man named Liu Jingsheng, who also has a great reputation—maybe he deserves the title of hero?" Cao Cao was even more dismissive: "That kind of person is all show and no substance, not even close." Liu Bei continued, "What about Sun Bofu of Jiangdong? He is a leader admired by thousands!" Cao Cao shook his head in denial. Liu Bei also mentioned names like Liu Zhang, Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu, and Han Sui, but Cao Cao rejected them all. Liu Bei said, "I really can't think of anyone else." Cao Cao turned around, pointed at Liu Bei, and said, "The only true heroes in the world today are you and I." Liu Bei panicked and accidentally dropped his chopsticks to the ground. Just then, a loud clap of thunder rang out from the sky. Liu Bei quickly composed himself, bent down to pick up the chopsticks, and said to Cao Cao, "That thunder was truly frightening—it made me drop my chopsticks." Cao Cao asked, "Can a manly man be afraid of thunder?" Liu Bei replied, "The thunder came without warning; it's only natural to be afraid." Inwardly, he breathed a long sigh of relief, glad that Cao Cao had not grown suspicious.
After this banquet, Liu Bei discussed with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei how to escape Cao Cao's control. Soon, an opportunity arose when Cao Cao sent Liu Bei to attack Yuan Shu in Xuzhou. Seizing this chance, Liu Bei led his troops, along with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and fled. They drove Yuan Shu out of Xuzhou and settled there. Defeated, Yuan Shu had no choice but to seek refuge with Yuan Shao. Upon learning of Liu Bei's escape, Cao Cao was furious, regretting not having killed Liu Bei earlier, as he had now gained a foothold.