Cao Pi was greatly alarmed when he learned that Cao Zhang was approaching with an army. He asked his officials for counsel, and one man stepped forward, volunteering to go and persuade Cao Zhang to stand down. The man was Jia Kui, a Remonstrance Advisor. Delighted, Cao Pi ordered Jia Kui to depart at once. Jia Kui left the city and went to meet Cao Zhang. Cao Zhang demanded, "Where is the late king's seal and ribbon of authority?" Jia Kui replied sternly, "A family has its eldest son; a state has its rightful heir. The location of the late king's seal is not something a mere marquis should inquire about." Cao Zhang fell silent. He entered the city with Jia Kui. When they reached the palace gate, Jia Kui asked, "Have you come to mourn, or to contend for the throne?" Cao Zhang answered, "I have come to mourn, and I have no other intentions." "If you have no other intentions," Jia Kui pressed, "why have you brought troops into the city?" Cao Zhang immediately ordered his soldiers to withdraw. He entered the palace alone, knelt before Cao Pi, and the two brothers wept bitterly in each other's arms. Cao Zhang then turned over all his troops to Cao Pi. Cao Pi ordered him to return to his own domain at Yancheng and guard it. Cao Zhang took his leave and departed.
Thus Cao Pi assumed the kingship in peace. He changed the era name from the twenty-fifth year of Jian'an to the first year of Yankang. He appointed Jia Xu as Grand Commandant, Hua Xin as Chancellor, and Wang Lang as Imperial Secretary. All officials, great and small, were promoted and rewarded. Cao Cao was posthumously granted the title of King Wu and buried at the Gaoling Mausoleum in Ye Commandery. Cao Pi ordered Yu Jin to oversee the construction of the tomb. When Yu Jin arrived, he saw a mural painted on the whitewashed wall of the tomb chamber. It depicted the scene of Guan Yu's drowning of the Seven Armies and the capture of Yu Jin. In the painting, Guan Yu sat in a position of honor, stern and majestic. Pang De stood nearby, his face twisted in anger and defiance, while Yu Jin knelt on the ground, prostrating himself, begging for his life. Now, Cao Pi had always despised Yu Jin for failing to die in honorable battle when he was captured, for surrendering to the enemy, and then for returning to Wei. So he had ordered the mural painted beforehand, deliberately sending Yu Jin to see it and shame him. Upon seeing the painting, Yu Jin was overcome with shame and fury. He fell ill from the shock and died not long after.
A poet of the time lamented: For thirty years, they had called him a loyal friend, but when faced with mortal peril, he could not be true to Cao Cao. A man's true heart cannot be known from the outside; only now, in this painting of a tiger, is his cowardice revealed from the bone.
Hua Xin then memorialized to Cao Pi, saying, "The Marquis of Yancheng has already handed over his troops and returned to his domain. But the Marquis of Linzi, Cao Zhi, and the Marquis of Xiaohuai, Cao Xiong, have not come to mourn. They should be punished for this offense." Cao Pi agreed and dispatched two messengers to the two marquisates to demand an accounting. Within a day, the messenger to Xiaohuai returned and reported, "The Marquis of Xiaohuai, Cao Xiong, feared punishment and hanged himself." Cao Pi ordered a lavish burial for him and posthumously granted him the title of King of Xiaohuai. Another day passed, and the messenger to Linzi returned with a different report. He said, "The Marquis of Linzi spends his days and nights drinking heavily with the brothers Ding Yi and Ding Yi. He is arrogant and disrespectful. When he heard that your messenger had arrived, he remained seated and unmoving. Ding Yi cursed, saying, 'In the past, the late king wanted to make our lord his heir, but treacherous ministers prevented it. Now, before the king's mourning period is even over, you come to punish your own flesh and blood. Why?' Then Ding Yi added, 'Our lord is the most brilliant man of his generation. He should have inherited the throne. Instead, he was denied it. You court officials have no ability to recognize true talent!' The Marquis of Linzi then grew angry and ordered his guards to beat me and drive me out with clubs."
When Cao Pi heard this, he flew into a rage. He ordered Xu Chu to take three thousand of the Tiger Guard troops and rush to Linzi to arrest Cao Zhi, the Ding brothers, and all their followers. Xu Chu obeyed and led his troops to Linzi. The city's defenders tried to block him, but Xu Chu cut them down on the spot. He charged straight into the city, and no one dared to oppose him. He went directly to the marquis's residence, where he found Cao Zhi, Ding Yi, and Ding Yi all lying dead drunk. Xu Chu had them all bound and loaded onto carts. He also arrested all the officials of Cao Zhi's household and sent them all to Ye Commandery to await Cao Pi's judgment. Cao Pi ordered the immediate execution of Ding Yi and Ding Yi. These two, Ding Yi and Ding Yi, were renowned scholars of their time, hailing from Pei Commandery. Many lamented their deaths.
When Cao Pi's mother, Lady Bian, heard that Cao Xiong had hanged himself, she was deeply grieved. Then she heard that Cao Zhi had been arrested and that the Ding brothers had been executed. She was terrified. She hurried from her chambers and summoned Cao Pi. When Cao Pi saw his mother approaching, he rushed to bow before her. Lady Bian wept and said to him, "Your younger brother, Zhi, has always been fond of wine and unrestrained in his behavior. This is because he relies on his own talent and has become willful. You must remember that you are brothers of the same blood. Spare his life, so that I may close my eyes in death without regret." Cao Pi replied, "I, too, deeply admire his talent. How could I bear to harm him? I only wish to correct his temperament. Do not worry, Mother."
Lady Bian withdrew in tears. Cao Pi went to a side hall and summoned Cao Zhi for an audience. Hua Xin asked, "Did the Empress Dowager just now advise Your Highness not to kill Cao Zhi?" Cao Pi said, "Yes." Hua Xin said, "Cao Zhi is a man of great talent and intelligence. He is not a creature that will remain content in a small pond. If you do not remove him early, he will surely become a future threat." Cao Pi said, "But I cannot disobey my mother's command." Hua Xin said, "Everyone says that Cao Zhi can compose poetry as easily as he speaks. I do not fully believe it. Summon him and test his talent. If he fails, then kill him. If he truly can, then demote him. This will silence the critics among the literati." Cao Pi agreed. Soon, Cao Zhi was brought in. He trembled with fear, prostrated himself, and begged for forgiveness. Cao Pi said, "Though we are brothers by blood, we are now lord and subject. How dare you rely on your talent and disregard propriety? In the days of our late father, you often flaunted your literary skill. I have long suspected that you had others write your compositions for you. Now, I will set you a test. You must compose a poem within the time it takes to walk seven paces. If you succeed, I will spare your life. If you fail, you will be punished severely, and I will show no mercy!" Cao Zhi said, "Please give me a subject." At that moment, a water-ink painting hung on the wall of the hall. It depicted two bulls fighting beneath an earthen wall, with one bull falling into a well and dying.
Cao Pi pointed at the painting and said, "Take this as your subject. Your poem must not contain the phrases 'two bulls fighting beneath a wall' or 'one bull falling into a well.'" Cao Zhi walked seven paces, and his poem was already complete. The poem went: Two pieces of meat walked together on a path, each with a hollow bone on its head. They met at the foot of a block of earth, and rising up, they clashed. The two enemies were not equally strong; one piece of meat lay in a pit of earth. It was not that its strength was inferior, but its fierce spirit had not yet been fully spent. Cao Pi and all his ministers were astonished. Cao Pi then said, "Composing a poem in seven paces is still too slow for me. Can you compose a poem on the spur of the moment?" Cao Zhi said, "Please give me the subject." Cao Pi said, "You and I are brothers. Take that as your subject. Your poem must not contain the word 'brother.'" Without a moment's hesitation, Cao Zhi recited a poem: They boil beans by burning beanstalks, and the beans weep in the pot. They are born from the same root—why must they torment each other so fiercely? When Cao Pi heard this, tears streamed down his face. His mother, Lady Bian, came out from behind the hall and said, "Why must an elder brother torment his younger brother so cruelly?" Cao Pi quickly rose from his seat and said, "The law of the state cannot be set aside." So he demoted Cao Zhi to the rank of Marquis of Anxiang. Cao Zhi bowed, took his leave, mounted his horse, and departed.
After Cao Pi succeeded to the throne, he instituted new laws and began to pressure the Han Emperor even more harshly than his father had. Spies soon reported this to Chengdu. The King of Hanzhong, Liu Bei, was greatly alarmed. He convened his civil and military officials and said, "Cao Cao is dead, and Cao Pi has succeeded him. He is intimidating the Emperor even more than Cao Cao did. Sun Quan of Wu has already submitted and declared himself a vassal. I wish to first attack Wu to avenge Yunchang, and then march on the Central Plains to eliminate the traitor." Before he had finished speaking, Liao Hua stepped forward from the ranks of officials, threw himself to the ground, and wept. "The deaths of Lord Guan and his son were the fault of Liu Feng and Meng Da," he said. "I beg you to execute these two traitors." Liu Bei was about to send men to arrest them, but Zhuge Liang advised against it. "That would be unwise," he said. "We must proceed slowly. If we act hastily, they will rebel. Promote them both to commandery governorships, separate them from each other, and then we can arrest them." Liu Bei agreed and sent an envoy to promote Liu Feng to the position of governor of Mianzhu.
Now, Peng Yang was a close friend of Meng Da. When he heard of these developments, he hurried home and wrote a letter, sending a trusted messenger to inform Meng Da. But as the messenger was leaving through the southern gate of the city, he was captured by a patrol led by Ma Chao. Ma Chao interrogated the man and learned of the plot. He immediately went to see Peng Yang. Peng Yang welcomed him and prepared wine to entertain him. After several rounds of drinks, Ma Chao probed him, saying, "In the past, the King of Hanzhong treated you generously. Why has he grown so cold toward you now?" Peng Yang, already drunk, cursed bitterly, "That old fool has become senile and unreasonable! I will find a way to repay him!" Ma Chao probed further, "I have harbored resentment in my heart for a long time as well." Peng Yang said, "You raise your own troops and ally with Meng Da as an external force. I will lead the troops of Sichuan as an internal force. With this, a great undertaking can be achieved!" Ma Chao said, "Your plan is excellent. Let us discuss it again tomorrow."
Ma Chao took his leave of Peng Yang, then immediately took the messenger and the letter to the King of Hanzhong, reporting everything in detail. Liu Bei was furious and ordered Peng Yang arrested and thrown into prison for interrogation. In prison, Peng Yang regretted his actions, but it was too late. Liu Bei asked Zhuge Liang, "Peng Yang has plotted rebellion. How should he be dealt with?" Zhuge Liang said, "Though Peng Yang is a reckless scholar, if we keep him alive, he will surely bring disaster." So Liu Bei ordered Peng Yang to be executed in prison.
After Peng Yang's death, word reached Meng Da. Meng Da was terrified and did not know what to do. Just then, an envoy arrived with orders for Liu Feng to return to Mianzhu. Liu Feng departed. Meng Da, in a panic, summoned Shen Dan and Shen Yi, the Commandery Governors of Shangyong and Fangling, to discuss the matter. He said, "I, along with Fa Xiaozhi, rendered great service to the King of Hanzhong. Now that Xiaozhi is dead, the King has forgotten my past merits and seeks 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 overjoyed and asked what the plan was. Shen Dan said, "My brother and I have long wished to defect to Wei. You can write a memorial, resign from the service of the King of Hanzhong, and go over to Wei. King Cao Pi will surely value you. We will follow shortly after." Meng Da suddenly understood. He wrote a memorial, handed it to the envoy, and that very night led fifty horsemen and defected to Wei. The envoy brought the memorial back to Chengdu and reported Meng Da's defection to the King of Hanzhong. Liu Bei was enraged. He read the memorial, which said: Your servant, Da, humbly reflects that Your Highness seeks to emulate the achievements of Yi Yin and Lü Shang, and to surpass the deeds of Duke Huan of Qi and Duke Wen of Jin. Your great undertaking is still in its infancy, and you have relied on the support of Wu and Chu. Thus, men of ambition have flocked to your banner. Since I swore allegiance to you, my faults have piled up like a mountain.
I am well aware of this—how much more so must you be? Now, the court of Wei is filled with talent. I lack the ability to be a capable minister or a brilliant general. When I rank myself among your meritorious officials, I am filled with shame. I have heard that Fan Li, perceiving the signs of trouble, fled to the Five Lakes; and Jiu Fan, confessing his faults, hesitated on the banks of the River. When the time of crisis comes, why do men beg for leave to depart? It is to preserve their honor and integrity in their choice of service. How much more so for a man as base as I, who has no great achievements to his name? I have long admired the wisdom of the ancients and have thought of fleeing from disgrace. In the past, Prince Shensheng, though perfectly filial, was suspected by his own father; Wu Zixu, though utterly loyal, was executed by his lord; Meng Tian, who expanded the empire's borders, was subjected to a cruel punishment; and Yue Yi, who conquered Qi, was slandered by sycophants. Whenever I read their stories, I cannot help but weep with emotion. Now that I find myself in a similar situation, I am even more grieved. Recently, Jing Province fell, and many of your ministers lost their honor. Not one in a hundred returned. I alone, seeking to serve, went to Fangling and Shangyong. Now I beg to be released and to go into exile. I hope that Your Highness, in your divine wisdom, will understand my heart and pity my actions. I am truly a petty man, unable to remain constant. I know what I am doing—can I claim to be without fault?
I have heard that when friends part, they should not utter harsh words; when a servant leaves, he should not speak in anger. I have been taught by a noble man. I hope that Your Majesty will take this to heart. Your servant is filled with fear and trepidation.
When Liu Bei finished reading, he was furious. "This wretch has betrayed me!" he roared. "And he dares to mock me with his fancy words!" He wanted to raise an army immediately to capture Meng Da. But Zhuge Liang said, "Send Liu Feng to attack him instead. Let these two tigers fight each other. Whether Liu Feng wins or loses, he will have to return to Chengdu. Then we can eliminate him and be rid of both threats." Liu Bei agreed and sent an envoy to Mianzhu with orders for Liu Feng. Liu Feng accepted the command and led his troops to capture Meng Da.
Now, Cao Pi was holding court with his civil and military officials when a eunuch reported, "Meng Da, a general of Shu, has come to surrender." Cao Pi summoned him and asked, "Have you come to feign surrender?" Meng Da replied, "Because I failed to rescue Lord Guan, the King of Hanzhong wanted to kill me. I have fled here out of fear for my life. I have no other intentions." Cao Pi was still skeptical when another report arrived that Liu Feng was marching on Xiangyang with fifty thousand troops, specifically challenging Meng Da to battle. Cao Pi said, "If you are truly sincere, go to Xiangyang and bring me Liu Feng's head. Then I will believe you." Meng Da said, "I can convince him with reason. There is no need for battle. I will make Liu Feng surrender as well." Cao Pi was delighted and appointed Meng Da as a Palace Attendant, General Who Establishes Military Merit, and Marquis of Pingyang Village. He also made him Grand Administrator of Xincheng, with orders to guard Xiangyang and Fancheng. It so happened that Xiahou Shang and Xu Huang were already stationed at Xiangyang, preparing to take control of the various commanderies of Shangyong. When Meng Da arrived at Xiangyang, he exchanged courtesies with the two generals. He learned that Liu Feng had set up camp fifty li from the city. Meng Da wrote a letter and sent a messenger to Liu Feng's camp, urging him to surrender. Liu Feng read the letter and was enraged. "This traitor has destroyed the bond between uncle and nephew," he fumed. "He has sown discord between father and son, making me an unfilial and disloyal man!" He tore the letter to pieces and executed the messenger. The next day, he led his army out to challenge Meng Da to battle.
When Meng Da learned that Liu Feng had torn up his letter and killed his messenger, he was furious. He also led his troops out to meet the challenge. The two armies drew up in battle formation. Liu Feng reined in his horse beneath his banner and pointed his blade at Meng Da, cursing, "You traitor who has betrayed your country! How dare you speak such nonsense!" Meng Da replied, "Death is already staring you in the face, and you still refuse to see reason!" Liu Feng flew into a rage. He spurred his horse forward, brandishing his blade, and charged straight at Meng Da. They fought for less than three passes before Meng Da feigned defeat and fled. Liu Feng pursued him for over twenty li. Suddenly, with a great shout, an ambush was sprung. Xiahou Shang attacked from the left, and Xu Huang attacked from the right. Meng Da turned back and renewed the fight. Attacked from three sides, Liu Feng's army was utterly routed. Liu Feng fled in defeat, riding through the night back to Shangyong, with the Wei army in hot pursuit. When he reached the city walls and called for the gates to be opened, a volley of arrows rained down on him from the battlements. Shen Dan appeared on the gate tower and shouted, "I have already surrendered to Wei!" Liu Feng was furious and wanted to assault the city, but the pursuing army was closing in. Unable to hold his ground, he fled toward Fangling. When he arrived, he saw that the walls were already covered with Wei banners. Shen Yi stood on the gate tower and waved a signal flag. A detachment of troops emerged from behind the city, their banner emblazoned with the words "Right General, Xu Huang." Liu Feng could not withstand the attack and fled toward Western Sichuan. Xu Huang pursued him relentlessly. Liu Feng was left with only a hundred horsemen. When he reached Chengdu, he went to see the King of Hanzhong, threw himself to the ground, and wept, recounting everything that had happened. Liu Bei said angrily, "How dare you show your face before me again, you disgraceful wretch!" Liu Feng said, "It was not that I refused to rescue my uncle. I was prevented by Meng Da's dissuasion." Liu Bei's anger only grew. "You eat the food of men and wear the clothes of men," he said. "You are not a wooden or clay idol! How could you be stopped by a traitor's words!" He ordered his guards to take Liu Feng out and execute him. After the King of Hanzhong had Liu Feng put to death, he later heard about Meng Da's letter and how Liu Feng had torn it up and killed the messenger. He felt a pang of regret. But his grief over Guan Yu was still too great, and he fell ill. Thus, he refrained from any military action for a time.
Meanwhile, King Cao Pi of Wei, having promoted and rewarded all his civil and military officials, led an army of three hundred thousand on a southern tour to Qiao County in Pei State, his ancestral home. There, he held a grand feast to honor his forefathers' tombs. The local elders, raising clouds of dust as they knelt by the roadside, offered him wine and cups, emulating the scene when Emperor Gaozu of Han returned to his hometown of Pei. A report arrived that the Grand General Xiahou Dun was critically ill. Cao Pi immediately returned to Ye Commandery. By the time he arrived, Xiahou Dun had already died. Cao Pi wore mourning clothes for him and gave him a lavish burial with rich grave goods.
In the eighth month of that year, reports came of a phoenix appearing at Shiyi County, a qilin appearing at Linzi, and a yellow dragon appearing in Ye Commandery. The Palace Attendant Li Fu and the Grand Astrologer's Assistant Xu Zhi discussed these omens. They concluded that these auspicious signs were portents that Wei was destined to replace Han. They began to make arrangements for a ceremony of abdication, whereby the Han Emperor would cede the realm to the King of Wei. They were joined by Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Xin Pi, Jia Xu, Liu Yi, Liu Ye, Chen Jiao, Chen Qun, Huan Jie, and a host of other civil and military officials—over forty in all—who went directly to the inner palace to memorialize Emperor Xian of Han, requesting that he abdicate the throne in favor of King Cao Pi.
Truly, the altars of the House of Wei were about to be established, while the mountains and rivers of the Han dynasty were suddenly shifting. What answer would Emperor Xian give? The next chapter will reveal.