Dong Cheng and the others asked Ma Teng, "Whom do you propose we recruit?" Ma Teng replied, "Liu Xuande, the Governor of Yu Province, is here. Why not approach him?" Dong Cheng said, "Though he is an Imperial Uncle, he is currently dependent on Cao Cao. How could he agree to such a plot?" Ma Teng answered, "I observed the other day at the imperial hunt, when Cao Cao was receiving congratulations, that Guan Yun-chang stood behind Xuande, gripping his blade, ready to slay Cao Cao. Xuande stopped him with a glance. Xuande does not lack the will to deal with Cao Cao; he only fears Cao Cao's many claws and teeth and doubts his own strength. If you test him, I believe he will agree." Wu Shuo added, "This matter should not be rushed. We must deliberate calmly." The group then dispersed.
The following night, Dong Cheng hid the imperial edict in his sash and went directly to Xuande's residence. The gatekeeper announced him, and Xuande came out to welcome him, inviting him into a small pavilion to sit. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stood in attendance on either side. Xuande said, "Imperial Uncle-in-Law, your coming in the dead of night must mean there is urgent business." Dong Cheng replied, "If I had visited you by daylight on horseback, Cao Cao would have suspected something. Hence this nocturnal meeting." Xuande ordered wine to be served. Dong Cheng asked, "The other day at the hunt, Yun-chang wanted to kill Cao Cao, but you stopped him with a gesture of your eyes and head. Why?" Xuande started in surprise, "How do you know of this?" Dong Cheng said, "No one else saw it, but I alone did." Xuande, unable to conceal the truth, replied, "My younger brother saw Cao Cao's overstepping of his authority and could not help but be angered." Dong Cheng covered his face and wept, "If all the ministers of the court were like Yun-chang, what worry would there be for peace!" Xuande, fearing this might be a trap set by Cao Cao to test him, feigned ignorance and said, "The Chancellor Cao governs the realm well. Why should we worry about peace?" Dong Cheng's face changed color as he stood up, "You are an Imperial Uncle of the Han dynasty, and I have come to lay my heart bare before you. Why do you deceive me?" Xuande said, "I feared the Imperial Uncle-in-Law might be tricking me, so I tested you." Dong Cheng then took out the sash edict and showed it to him. Xuande was overcome with grief and indignation. He then showed him the oath of allegiance, which listed six names: First, Dong Cheng, General of Chariots and Cavalry; Second, Wang Zifu, Vice Minister of Public Works; Third, Zhong Ji, Colonel of the Changshui Battalion; Fourth, Wu Shuo, Court Gentleman; Fifth, Wu Zilan, General of Manifest Trust; and Sixth, Ma Teng, Grand Administrator of Xiliang. Xuande said, "Since you hold the Emperor's decree to punish the traitor, how dare I not offer my humble service?" Dong Cheng bowed in gratitude and asked him to sign the oath. Xuande wrote "Liu Bei, General of the Left," affixed his seal, and handed it to Dong Cheng. Dong Cheng said, "We still need to recruit three more to complete the 'Ten Righteous Ones' to plot against the nation's traitor." Xuande replied, "We must proceed slowly and cautiously, and never let this leak out." They discussed the matter until the fifth watch, then parted ways.
To guard against Cao Cao's schemes, Xuande took to planting vegetables in the garden behind his quarters, personally watering them, as a ruse to hide his true ambitions. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei asked him, "Brother, why do you neglect the great affairs of the realm to take up the work of a commoner?" Xuande replied, "This is not something the two of you need to understand." They said no more.
One day, when Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were away, Xuande was watering his vegetables when Xu Chu and Zhang Liao led several dozen men into the garden. "The Chancellor commands your presence, Lord," they said. Startled, Xuande asked, "What is the urgent matter?" Xu Chu replied, "I do not know. I was only ordered to fetch you." Xuande had no choice but to follow them to Cao Cao's mansion. Cao Cao smiled and said, "You have been busy at home with great affairs!" Xuande's face turned ashen with terror. Cao Cao took him by the hand and led him to the rear garden. "Xuande, it is not easy learning the art of gardening!" Only then did Xuande relax slightly. He replied, "It is merely a pastime to while away the hours." Cao Cao said, "Seeing the green plums on the branches, I was reminded of last year's campaign against Zhang Xiu. On the march, water was scarce, and the soldiers were parched. I thought of a ruse: I pointed with my whip into the distance and said, 'There is a plum orchard ahead.' The soldiers' mouths watered at the thought, and their thirst was quenched. Now, seeing these plums, we must not fail to appreciate them. The wine is also warming, so I invited you, Lord, to this pavilion to share a drink." Xuande's mind was finally at ease. They went to a small pavilion where cups and dishes were laid out: a plate of green plums and a jug of heated wine. The two sat facing each other and drank freely.
When the wine was half-finished, dark clouds gathered and a sudden storm threatened. A servant pointed into the distance at a dragon-shaped waterspout in the sky. Cao Cao and Xuande leaned on the railing to watch. Cao Cao asked, "Does my Lord know the nature of the dragon's transformations?" Xuande replied, "I do not know the details." Cao Cao said, "The dragon can grow large or small, rise or hide. When large, it stirs clouds and mists; when small, it conceals its form. When it rises, it soars through the cosmos; when it hides, it lurks in the waves. Now, in the depth of spring, the dragon rides the season's changes, just as a man of ambition commands the world. The dragon can be compared to the heroes of our age. You, Xuande, have traveled far and wide and must know the heroes of the day. Pray name them for me." Xuande said, "How can my mortal eyes recognize a hero?" Cao Cao insisted, "Do not be overly modest." Xuande said, "I am fortunate to have been sheltered by your grace and to serve at court. The heroes of the realm are truly unknown to me." Cao Cao said, "Even if you have not met them face to face, you must have heard their names." Xuande said, "Yuan Shu of Huainan has ample troops and provisions. Could he be considered a hero?" Cao Cao laughed, "He is but a skeleton in a tomb. I will capture him soon enough!" Xuande said, "Yuan Shao of Hebei comes from a family that has produced three generations of Excellencies. His house is full of former subordinates. He now holds the land of Ji Province like a crouching tiger, and his officers are many and capable.
Could he be a hero?" Cao Cao laughed again, "Yuan Shao is fierce in appearance but timid in action. He loves to scheme but cannot make decisions. He hesitates to risk himself for great undertakings but forgets his life for petty gains. He is no hero." Xuande said, "There is one known as one of the 'Eight Paragons,' whose might shakes the nine provinces. Liu Jing-sheng—could he be a hero?" Cao Cao said, "Liu Biao has a hollow reputation but no real substance. He is no hero." Xuande said, "There is one in the prime of his vigor, the leader of Jiangdong—Sun Bofu. Is he a hero?" Cao Cao said, "Sun Ce lives on his father's name. He is no hero." Xuande said, "Liu Jiyu of Yi Province—could he be called a hero?" Cao Cao said, "Liu Zhang, though of the imperial clan, is no more than a watchdog. How can he be called a hero!" Xuande said, "Then what of men like Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu, and Han Sui?" Cao Cao clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "These are but petty, insignificant men, not worth mentioning!" Xuande said, "Beyond them, I truly do not know." Cao Cao said, "A hero is one who harbors great ambitions in his breast, possesses profound strategies, has the capacity to encompass the universe, and the will to devour heaven and earth." Xuande asked, "Who can be such a hero?" Cao Cao pointed first at Xuande, then at himself, and said, "Today, the only true heroes under Heaven are you and I!" Hearing this, Xuande was so shocked that the chopsticks and spoon he held fell to the ground. Just then, the storm broke and a great clap of thunder rolled across the sky.
Xuande calmly bent down to pick up the utensils, saying, "The power of a thunderclap is truly fearsome!" Cao Cao laughed, "Does a man of valor also fear thunder?" Xuande replied, "Even the Sage changed his countenance at sudden thunder and violent wind. How could I not fear it?" Thus, he smoothly covered up the reason for dropping his chopsticks. Cao Cao suspected him no more.
A poet of the time praised this moment, writing: "Forced to dwell for a time in the tiger's lair, he was startled when his heroism was laid bare. Cleverly he used the thunder to mask his fright, adapting with a godlike presence in the moment's flight."
The rain had just ceased when two men burst into the rear garden, swords drawn, charging toward the pavilion. The guards could not stop them. Cao Cao saw that they were Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. They had just returned from archery practice outside the city when they heard that Xuande had been summoned by Xu Chu and Zhang Liao. Fearing for his safety, they had rushed to the mansion to investigate. Hearing he was in the rear garden, they forced their way in, only to find Xuande and Cao Cao drinking together. The two brothers stood with their hands on their swords. Cao Cao asked them why they had come. Guan Yu replied, "Hearing that the Chancellor and my elder brother were drinking, we came to offer a sword dance for your amusement." Cao Cao laughed, "This is not the Feast at Hongmen, where is the need for Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Bo?" Xuande also laughed. Cao Cao ordered, "Bring wine to calm the nerves of these two Fan Kuais!" Guan Yu and Zhang Fei bowed in thanks. Soon, the feast ended, and Xuande took his leave. As they returned home, Guan Yu said, "We were nearly frightened to death!" Xuande told them the story of the fallen chopsticks. They asked what it meant. Xuande said, "I took up gardening to make Cao Cao think I had no great ambitions. I never expected him to call me a hero. That is why I dropped my chopsticks in shock. Fearing he might suspect me, I used the fear of thunder to cover it up." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei said, "Brother, your foresight is truly remarkable!"
The next day, Cao Cao invited Xuande again. As they drank, a messenger announced that Man Chong had returned from spying on Yuan Shao. Cao Cao summoned him in and questioned him. Man Chong reported, "Gongsun Zan has been destroyed by Yuan Shao." Xuande urgently asked, "Please tell me the details." Man Chong said, "Zan was losing his battles against Shao, so he built a fortified city with a tower ten spans high, called the Tower of Ease and Capital. He stored three hundred thousand measures of grain there to defend himself. His soldiers came and went without rest. When some were besieged by Yuan Shao, they begged for rescue. Zan said, 'If I rescue one, later warriors will only hope for rescue and refuse to fight to the death.' So he did not rescue them. As a result, many of his troops surrendered to Yuan Shao. Isolated, Zan sent a messenger with a letter to Xuchang seeking aid, but the messenger was captured by Yuan Shao's forces. Zan also sent a letter to Zhang Yan, secretly arranging to use a beacon fire as a signal for a coordinated attack. That messenger was also captured by Yuan Shao, who then lit a fire outside the city to lure Zan out. Zan led his army out to fight, but was ambushed on all sides, losing more than half his men. He retreated to the city, but Yuan Shao's men tunneled under the walls directly to the base of his tower and set it ablaze. With no escape, Zan first killed his wife and children, then hanged himself. His entire family was consumed by the flames. Now Yuan Shao has absorbed Zan's army and his power is immense. His younger brother, Yuan Shu, in Huainan, has grown arrogant and extravagant, neglecting his soldiers and people, causing many to rebel. Shu has sent a message to Yuan Shao, offering to yield the imperial title to him. Shao wants the Imperial Jade Seal, and Shu has agreed to bring it personally. He is now abandoning Huainan and heading north to join Shao. If the two brothers unite their forces, they will be difficult to defeat. I beg the Chancellor to make plans quickly."
Hearing of Gongsun Zan's death, Xuande was deeply grieved, remembering the kindness Zan had shown him in recommending him for a post. He was also worried about Zhao Zilong's fate. He thought to himself, "If I do not seize this chance to escape, when will I ever?" He rose and said to Cao Cao, "If Yuan Shu goes to join Yuan Shao, he must pass through Xu Province. Let me lead an army to intercept him on the way, and I can capture him." Cao Cao smiled, "Tomorrow, I will present this to the Emperor, and we shall raise the troops." The next day, Xuande went before the Emperor with the proposal. Cao Cao ordered Xuande to command fifty thousand men, and sent Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to accompany him. Xuande took his leave of the Emperor, who wept as he saw him off.
Returning to his quarters, Xuande spent the night preparing weapons and horses, hung up his general's seal, and urged an immediate departure. Dong Cheng caught up with him at the Pavilion of Ten Li to see him off. Xuande said, "Imperial Uncle-in-Law, be patient. On this campaign, I will surely find a way to fulfill our mission." Dong Cheng replied, "Be careful and do not disappoint the Emperor's trust." They parted. On horseback, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei asked, "Brother, why are you in such haste to depart on this campaign?" Xuande replied, "I have been a bird in a cage, a fish in a net. This journey is like a fish returning to the sea, a bird soaring into the sky, free from the cage and net!" He then ordered Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to urge Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao's troops to march quickly.
Just then, Guo Jia and Cheng Yu had returned from auditing grain accounts. Learning that Cao Cao had sent Xuande to lead troops into Xu Province, they rushed to advise him. "Why did the Chancellor let Liu Bei command an army?" they asked. Cao Cao said, "To intercept Yuan Shu." Cheng Yu said, "When Liu Bei was Governor of Yu Province, we urged you to kill him, but you would not listen. Now you give him troops—this is like releasing a dragon into the sea or letting a tiger return to the mountains. If you try to control him later, will you be able to?" Guo Jia added, "Even if you would not kill him, Chancellor, you should not have let him go. The ancients said, 'To let an enemy go for a day is to invite calamity for ten thousand generations.' I beg you to reconsider." Cao Cao agreed with their reasoning and ordered Xu Chu to take five hundred men and pursue Xuande, bringing him back. Xu Chu accepted the order and left.
As Xuande was marching, he saw a cloud of dust rising behind them. He said to Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, "This must be Cao Cao's troops in pursuit." He ordered the army to halt and make camp, then had Guan Yu and Zhang Fei stand on either side with their weapons. When Xu Chu arrived and saw the army in battle formation, he dismounted and entered the camp to see Xuande. Xuande asked, "What brings you here?" Xu Chu replied, "I bear the Chancellor's order, requesting you to return for further discussion." Xuande said, "A general in the field may not accept the sovereign's command. I have already seen the Emperor and received the Chancellor's own orders. There are no further discussions to be had. You may return quickly and report my words to the Chancellor." Xu Chu thought to himself, "The Chancellor has always been on good terms with him, and he did not order me to fight. I will just relay his words and await further instructions." So he took his leave and returned. Reporting to Cao Cao, he repeated Xuande's words. Cao Cao was hesitant. Cheng Yu and Guo Jia said, "Liu Bei's refusal to return shows his heart has changed." Cao Cao said, "I have Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao with him. I doubt Xuande will dare to rebel. Besides, since I have already sent him, how can I regret it?" So he did not pursue Xuande further.
A poet of the time wrote of Xuande: "He gathered his troops and hastened forth, his heart full of the Emperor's words hidden in his sash. He broke the iron cage to free the tiger and leopard, and slipped the golden lock to let the dragon soar."
When Ma Teng saw that Xuande had left and border reports became urgent, he also returned to Xiliang. Xuande's army reached Xu Province, where the Governor, Che Zhou, came out to welcome him. After the official banquet, Sun Qian, Mi Zhu, and others came to pay their respects. Xuande visited his family and also sent scouts to spy on Yuan Shu. The scouts returned and reported, "Yuan Shu's extravagance has reached its peak. Lei Bo and Chen Lan have both defected to Mount Song. Shu's power is waning. He has written a letter yielding the imperial title to Yuan Shao. Shao ordered him to come, so Shu is now gathering his troops, palace goods, and imperial regalia, and is heading for Xu Province first." Learning that Yuan Shu was approaching, Xuande led Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhu Ling, and Lu Zhao with fifty thousand men out to meet him. They encountered Yuan Shu's vanguard commander, Ji Ling. Without a word, Zhang Fei charged straight at Ji Ling. In less than ten exchanges, Zhang Fei let out a great shout and thrust his spear through Ji Ling, knocking him from his horse. The defeated troops fled. Yuan Shu then led his main army into battle. Xuande divided his forces into three columns: Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao on the left, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on the right, and he himself led the center. Facing Yuan Shu, he shouted from beneath his banner, "You rebel against the Way! I hold the Emperor's decree to punish you! Surrender and you will be spared!" Yuan Shu cursed back, "You are nothing but a common sandal-weaver! How dare you insult me!" He waved his army forward. Xuande feigned a retreat, then let his left and right columns attack. The slaughter was immense, with corpses littering the fields and blood flowing like a river. Countless soldiers fled. Lei Bo and Chen Lan from Mount Song also raided Yuan Shu's grain and supplies. Trying to return to Shouchun, Shu was ambushed by bandits and forced to stop at Jiangting. He had only a thousand men left, all old and weak. It was the height of summer, and all food was gone, leaving only thirty measures of wheat to be distributed among the soldiers. His own family had no food, and many starved to death. Shu found the coarse grain hard to swallow and ordered his cook to bring him honey water to quench his thirst. The cook replied, "There is only blood water, where can I find honey water?" Yuan Shu sat up on his bed, let out a great cry, and fell to the ground, spitting blood until he died. This was in the sixth month of the fourth year of the Jian'an era.
A poet of the time wrote: "When the swords of the late Han rose on every side, Yuan Shu was the first to let his arrogance ride. He forgot his family's generations of high degree, and sought to make himself the only sovereign to be. He boasted of the seal that passed from hand to hand, and claimed the portents of Heaven at his command. Dying, he begged for honey water in vain, and lay alone on an empty bed, spewing blood in pain."
After Yuan Shu's death, his nephew Yuan Yin attempted to flee with the coffin and his family to Lujiang, but was intercepted and killed by Xu Qiu. Xu Qiu seized the Imperial Jade Seal and took it to Xuchang, presenting it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was overjoyed and appointed Xu Qiu Grand Administrator of Gaoling. Thus, the Imperial Jade Seal came into Cao Cao's possession.
Learning of Yuan Shu's demise, Xuande wrote a memorial to the court and a letter to Cao Cao, ordering Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao to return to Xuchang while keeping the army to guard Xu Province. He then personally went out of the city to encourage the displaced people to return to their livelihoods.
When Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao returned to Xuchang and reported to Cao Cao that Xuande had kept the army, Cao Cao was furious and wanted to have them executed. Xun Yu said, "The authority is now in Liu Bei's hands. They could do nothing about it." Cao Cao pardoned them. Xun Yu added, "You should write to Che Zhou and have him deal with Liu Bei from within." Cao Cao agreed and secretly sent a messenger to Che Zhou with his orders. Che Zhou immediately summoned Chen Deng to discuss the matter. Chen Deng said, "This is very easy. Liu Bei has gone out of the city to rally the people and will return soon. You, General, can have your soldiers lie in ambush at the barbican gate, pretending to welcome him. When he arrives, cut him down with one stroke. I will be on the city wall to shoot at his rear guard, and the deed will be done." Che Zhou agreed. Chen Deng went home and told his father, Chen Gui, everything. Chen Gui ordered Chen Deng to go and warn Xuande. Chen Deng rode off at full speed and met Guan Yu and Zhang Fei on the road. He told them what was planned. It happened that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were ahead, with Xuande following behind. Zhang Fei, hearing this, wanted to attack immediately. Guan Yu said, "He is waiting in ambush at the barbican gate. If we go in, we will surely fall into his trap. I have a plan to kill Che Zhou: tonight, we will disguise ourselves as Cao Cao's troops and go to Xu Province, call for Che Zhou to come out and welcome us, and then strike him down." Zhang Fei agreed.
Their troops still had Cao Cao's banners and wore the same armor. At the third watch of the night, they arrived at the city gates and called out. The guards on the wall asked who they were. The troops answered that they were Zhang Wenyuan's men, sent by the Chancellor. The guards reported this to Che Zhou, who urgently summoned Chen Deng and said, "If I do not go out to welcome them, it might arouse suspicion. But if I go out, it might be a trap." Che Zhou went up the wall and shouted down, "It is too dark to tell friend from foe. Let us wait until dawn to meet." The troops below replied, "We fear Liu Bei might find out! Open the gates quickly!" Che Zhou hesitated, but the shouts from outside grew louder. Finally, he put on his armor, mounted his horse, and led a thousand men out of the city. As he crossed the drawbridge, he shouted, "Where is Wenyuan?" In the torchlight, he saw Guan Yu charging toward him on his horse, his blade raised. Guan Yu roared, "Villain! How dare you plot to kill my brother!" Che Zhou was terrified. After only a few exchanges, he could not withstand the assault and turned his horse to flee. As he reached the drawbridge, Chen Deng on the wall rained arrows down on him. Che Zhou was forced to flee along the city wall. Guan Yu pursued him, and with one swing of his blade, cut him down from his horse. He cut off Che Zhou's head and held it up, shouting to the city wall, "The traitor Che Zhou is dead! The rest of you are innocent! Surrender and you will be spared!" The soldiers laid down their weapons, and the city was pacified.
Guan Yu took Che Zhou's head to meet Xuande and told him of the assassination plot and how he had killed Che Zhou. Xuande was horrified. "If Cao Cao comes, what will we do?" he asked. Guan Yu replied, "Your younger brothers will meet him." Xuande was filled with regret. He entered Xu Province, where the common people knelt by the roadside to welcome him. At the government house, he found that Zhang Fei had already killed Che Zhou's entire family. Xuande said, "We have killed Cao Cao's trusted man. How will he ever let this go?" Chen Deng said, "I have a plan that can repel Cao Cao." Indeed: "Having escaped the tiger's lair alone, he would use a clever plan to quell the smoke of war."
What plan did Chen Deng propose? Let the next chapter reveal.