When Cao Cao saw the silk edict, he gathered his advisors to discuss deposing Emperor Xian and replacing him with a worthier ruler. But his strategist Cheng Yu cautioned him: "My lord, the reason you command such awe throughout the realm is precisely because you act under the authority of the Han house. If you depose the Emperor while the warlords remain unsubdued, it will ignite open war." Cao Cao relented. He ordered Dong Cheng and the other four conspirators, along with their entire families—young and old—to be taken to the city gates and executed. More than seven hundred people perished. All the officials and commoners who witnessed the bloodshed wept openly.
A poet of the time lamented for Dong Cheng:
The secret edict, hidden in a silk belt, had carried the Emperor's words beyond the palace gates. This was the man who had once saved the Emperor's life, and now he had received the Emperor's favor again. His heart was consumed by worry for the state; his dreams were haunted by the need to purge the traitor. His loyalty would echo through a thousand ages—what need was there to argue over victory or defeat?
Another verse mourned the four co-conspirators, Prince Fu and the others:
They had signed their names on plain white silk, swearing a loyal oath, burning with righteous passion to repay their sovereign. Their crimson loyalty cost them a hundred lives, but their true hearts would endure for a thousand autumns.
Now, having executed Dong Cheng and his associates, Cao Cao's fury remained unquenched. He entered the palace with his sword drawn, intent on killing Consort Dong. She was Dong Cheng's younger sister, beloved by the Emperor, and five months pregnant. That day, Emperor Xian was in the rear palace with Empress Fu, privately discussing how they had heard nothing yet of Dong Cheng's plot. Suddenly, Cao Cao strode in, sword in hand, his face dark with rage. The Emperor's countenance drained of all color. "Dong Cheng plotted rebellion," Cao Cao said. "Does Your Majesty know of this?" The Emperor, trembling, replied, "But Dong Zhuo was already executed long ago." Cao Cao roared, "Not Dong Zhuo—Dong Cheng!" The Emperor stammered, "I... I truly knew nothing." Cao Cao pressed: "Have you forgotten the edict written in blood from a pricked finger?" The Emperor could not answer. Cao Cao ordered his guards to seize Consort Dong and bring her before him. The Emperor pleaded: "The Consort is five months with child. I beg the Chancellor to show mercy." "If Heaven had not thwarted his plan," Cao Cao retorted, "I would already be dead. How can I leave this woman alive to become a future threat?" Empress Fu interceded: "Banish her to the cold palace, and when she has given birth, then kill her." "Do you wish to preserve this rebel seed," Cao Cao sneered, "so it can avenge its mother?" Consort Dong, weeping, begged: "I ask only to die with my body intact, that I not be exposed to shame." Cao Cao ordered a length of white silk brought forth. The Emperor, tears streaming like rain, said to his consort: "In the nine springs below, do not blame your Emperor." Empress Fu also wept bitterly. Cao Cao shouted in fury: "Still playing at childish sentiment!" He commanded his guards to drag her out and strangle her at the palace gate.
A poet of the time lamented Consort Dong:
To have received the Emperor's favor in the spring palace was all in vain. Alas, the dragon's seed perished with her. The majestic Son of Heaven could not save her; he could only cover his face and watch, his tears gushing like a spring.
Cao Cao then ordered the palace stewards: "From now on, if any member of the imperial family or clan enters the palace gates without my permission, they are to be beheaded. Any guard who fails to enforce this will share the same fate." He stationed three thousand of his most trusted men as the Imperial Guard, placing them under the command of Cao Hong to serve as watchmen and spies.
Cao Cao said to Cheng Yu: "Though Dong Cheng and his men are dead, Ma Teng and Liu Bei were also among the conspirators. They must be eliminated." Cheng Yu replied: "Ma Teng is stationed in the west with his army at Liang Province; we cannot move against him lightly. Better to send him a letter of comfort to allay his suspicions, then lure him to the capital and deal with him there. Liu Bei is in Xu Province, with his forces deployed in a pincer formation. He is not to be underestimated. Moreover, Yuan Shao is encamped at Guandu, constantly eyeing Xuchang. If we march east to attack Liu Bei, he will surely seek help from Yuan Shao. If Yuan Shao then strikes at our rear, how will we withstand him?" Cao Cao replied: "You are wrong. Liu Bei is a man of exceptional talent. If we do not strike now, waiting only allows him to grow stronger, making him far harder to deal with later. Yuan Shao, for all his strength, is plagued by indecision and suspicion. He is no cause for concern." As they debated, Guo Jia entered from outside. Cao Cao asked him: "I wish to march east against Liu Bei, but I fear Yuan Shao will take advantage. What do you advise?" Guo Jia said: "Yuan Shao is slow to act and given to doubt. His advisors are jealous of one another. He is no threat. Liu Bei has just reorganized his army; the soldiers' hearts are not yet loyal to him. If you lead the army east, one battle will settle the matter." Cao Cao was overjoyed. "This accords with my own thoughts," he said. He raised an army of two hundred thousand men and marched on Xu Province in five columns.
Spies reported this news to Xu Province. Sun Qian first went to Xiapi to inform Guan Yu, then hurried to Xiaopei to inform Liu Bei. Liu Bei consulted with Sun Qian: "We must seek help from Yuan Shao to escape this crisis." Liu Bei wrote a letter and dispatched Sun Qian to Hebei. Sun Qian first met Tian Feng, Yuan Shao's advisor, explained the situation, and asked for an introduction. Tian Feng led Sun Qian to see Yuan Shao, who received the letter. Yuan Shao appeared haggard, his clothes and cap in disarray. "My lord," Tian Feng asked, "why are you in such a state today?" "I am about to die!" Yuan Shao replied. "My lord, why do you say such a thing?" "I have five sons," Yuan Shao said, "but only the youngest truly pleases me. Now he is stricken with a skin ailment, and his life hangs by a thread. How can my heart attend to anything else?" Tian Feng argued: "Cao Cao has marched east against Liu Bei. Xuchang is defenseless. If we raise a righteous army and strike at his undefended capital, we can, on the one hand, protect the Son of Heaven, and on the other, rescue the common people. This is an opportunity that will not come again. I urge you to decide, my lord." Yuan Shao replied: "I know this is the best course, but my mind is troubled. I fear misfortune." "Why are you troubled?" Tian Feng pressed. "Of all my sons," Yuan Shao said, "this one was born the most extraordinary. If anything happens to him, my life is over." He refused to send troops. He told Sun Qian: "Return and tell Xuande of my circumstances. If things go badly for him, he may come and seek refuge with me. I will find a way to help him." Tian Feng struck the ground with his staff and cried: "To encounter such a rare opportunity and lose it over a child's illness—the great enterprise is lost! What a bitter waste!" He stamped his feet, sighed deeply, and left.
Sun Qian, seeing that Yuan Shao would not send troops, rode through the night back to Xiaopei to report to Liu Bei. "What can we do now?" Liu Bei exclaimed in alarm. Zhang Fei said: "Brother, do not worry. Cao Cao's army has marched a great distance; they must be exhausted. If we strike their camp before they have settled, we can defeat them." Liu Bei replied: "I have always thought of you as merely a brave warrior. But when you captured Liu Dai earlier, you showed considerable cunning. Now this plan also accords with military strategy." He agreed and divided his forces for the raid.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao was marching toward Xiaopei. As he advanced, a sudden gale arose, and with a great crack, one of his command banners snapped. Cao Cao halted his army and called his advisors together to interpret the omen. "From what direction did the wind come," Xun Yu asked, "and what color was the banner that broke?" Cao Cao replied: "The wind came from the southeast and broke a banner at the corner of the camp. The banner was blue and red." Xun Yu said: "This portends one thing: tonight, Liu Bei will attempt to raid our camp." Cao Cao nodded. Just then, Mao Jie entered and reported: "A southeast wind has just broken a blue and red command banner. What does my lord make of this omen?" Cao Cao asked: "What do you think?" Mao Jie replied: "In my humble opinion, it means someone will attempt to raid our camp tonight."
A poet of the time lamented:
Alas, the imperial descendant was isolated and desperate, relying entirely on a night raid to turn the tide. But fate had already given a sign in the broken banner—why did Heaven allow the traitor to prevail?
Cao Cao said: "Heaven has warned me. I must take precautions." He divided his army into nine units, leaving only one to pitch a false camp in front while the other eight lay in ambush on all sides.
That night, the moon was dim. Liu Bei led the left wing, Zhang Fei the right, as they advanced in two columns. Only Sun Qian was left to guard Xiaopei. Zhang Fei, confident in his plan, led his light cavalry ahead and charged into Cao Cao's camp. But he found it nearly empty, with only a scattering of tents. Suddenly, torches blazed up on all sides, and war cries erupted. Zhang Fei realized he had walked into a trap and fought his way out of the camp. But from the east came Zhang Liao, from the west Xu Chu, from the south Yu Jin, from the north Li Dian, from the southeast Xu Huang, from the southwest Yue Jin, from the northeast Xiahou Dun, and from the northwest Xiahou Yuan—eight columns of cavalry converging on him. Zhang Fei charged left and right, blocking attacks from front and rear. Many of his own soldiers had once served under Cao Cao; seeing the desperate situation, they threw down their weapons and surrendered. As Zhang Fei fought on, he encountered Xu Huang, and after a fierce clash, Yue Jin arrived from behind. Zhang Fei cut a bloody path through the encirclement and fled, with only a few dozen riders following him. He tried to return to Xiaopei, but the road was cut off. He thought of making for Xu Province or Xiapi, but feared Cao's army would intercept him. Seeing no way out, he headed for the Mangdang Mountains.
As for Liu Bei, he led his troops toward the enemy camp. Just as he neared the camp gate, a thunderous war cry erupted, and a column of cavalry charged from behind, cutting off half his men. Xiahou Dun arrived as well. Liu Bei broke through the encirclement and fled, but Xiahou Yuan pursued from behind. Liu Bei looked back and saw only thirty riders following him. He hurried toward Xiaopei, only to see flames rising from within the city. He abandoned Xiaopei. He thought of making for Xu Province or Xiapi, but saw Cao's army covering the hills and fields, blocking every road. With no refuge left, Liu Bei recalled Yuan Shao's words: "If things go badly for you, you may come to me." "For now," he thought, "I will seek shelter with him and plan from there." He headed for Qing Province, but Li Dian blocked his path. Liu Bei, alone on his horse, fled north across the desolate wilderness, while Li Dian captured his remaining followers and horses.
Liu Bei rode alone toward Qing Province, covering three hundred li in a day. He reached the city of Qing Province and called at the gate. The gatekeeper asked his name and reported to the Provincial Inspector, who was Yuan Shao's eldest son, Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan had always respected Liu Bei. Hearing that he had arrived alone, he immediately opened the gates, welcomed him, and led him to the official residence to ask what had happened. Liu Bei explained his defeat and his desire to seek refuge. Yuan Tan lodged him in an official guesthouse and sent a letter to his father, Yuan Shao. He also dispatched soldiers from his own province to escort Liu Bei. At the border of Pingyuan Commandery, Yuan Shao himself led a party thirty li from Ye City to welcome Liu Bei. Liu Bei bowed in gratitude. Yuan Shao quickly returned the bow and said: "Yesterday, because my youngest son was ill, I failed to come to your aid. My heart is filled with regret. Now I am fortunate to meet you, which greatly satisfies my long-cherished desire to see you." Liu Bei replied: "I, Liu Bei, am a man of desperate circumstances. I have long wished to place myself under your command, but fate had not yet brought us together. Now, attacked by Cao Cao, with my wife and children lost, I have come to you, knowing you welcome worthy men from all corners. I do not shrink from shame. I beg you to take me in. I swear I will repay your kindness." Yuan Shao was greatly pleased. He treated Liu Bei with the utmost courtesy and let him reside in Ji Province.
That same night, Cao Cao captured Xiaopei. He then advanced on Xu Province. Mi Zhu and Jian Yong could not hold the city and abandoned it, fleeing. Chen Deng surrendered Xu Province. Cao Cao's army entered the city, pacified the people, and Cao Cao called his advisors to discuss how to take Xiapi. Xun Yu said: "Guan Yu is guarding the city with Liu Bei's wife and children, and he will defend it to the death. If we do not take it quickly, Yuan Shao might seize the opportunity." Cao Cao replied: "I have always admired Guan Yu's martial skill and character. I would like to win him over to my side. Why not send someone to persuade him to surrender?" Guo Jia warned: "Guan Yu is a man of profound honor and loyalty. He will certainly refuse to surrender. If you send someone to persuade him, they may be killed." A man stepped forward from the ranks and said: "I have a passing acquaintance with Lord Guan. I am willing to go and speak with him." The assembly looked at him; it was Zhang Liao. Cheng Yu said: "Zhang Liao, though you have a past connection with Guan Yu, I do not believe he can be moved by words alone. I have a plan that will leave him with no path forward or back. Then you can speak to him, and he will surely submit to the Chancellor." Truly:
They prepared hidden bows to shoot the fierce tiger, and laid out fragrant bait to hook the great turtle.
As for what this plan was, it will be revealed in the next chapter.