Liu Bei sought Zhuge Liang’s counsel on how to withstand Cao Cao’s army. Kongming replied, “Xin Ye is a small county—we cannot hold it for long. I have heard that Liu Biao’s illness has grown critical. Seize this opportunity to take Jing Province as our base, and we may yet resist Cao Cao.” Liu Bei said, “Your words are wise, but I have received Liu Biao’s kindness—how could I bear to plot against him?” Kongming answered, “If we do not take it now, regret will be too late.” Liu Bei declared, “I would rather die than commit an act of betrayal.” Kongming sighed, “Then let us deliberate further.”
Xiahou Dun, defeated, returned to Xuchang in disgrace. Binding himself, he knelt before Cao Cao and begged for death. Cao Cao pardoned him. Xiahou Dun said, “I fell victim to Zhuge Liang’s cunning—he used fire to break my army.” Cao Cao replied, “You have commanded troops since youth—how could you not know that narrow passages demand caution against fire attacks?” Xiahou Dun admitted, “Li Dian and Yu Jin warned me of this, but I ignored them. Now I regret it beyond measure!” Cao Cao rewarded the two officers. Xiahou Dun continued, “Liu Bei grows bolder by the day. He is a thorn in our side—we must eliminate him without delay.” Cao Cao said, “My only concerns are Liu Bei and Sun Quan; the rest are beneath notice. Now is the time to sweep south of the Yangtze.” He issued orders to raise an army of five hundred thousand, divided into five corps: the first under Cao Ren and Cao Hong, the second under Zhang Liao and Zhang He, the third under Xiahou Yuan and Xiahou Dun, the fourth under Yu Jin and Li Dian, and the fifth under Cao Cao himself, each corps one hundred thousand strong. He appointed Xu Chu as Vanguard General, leading three thousand troops to spearhead the advance. The campaign was set to begin on the day of Bingwu in the seventh month of the thirteenth year of Jian’an.
Kong Rong, the Grand Master of the Palace, remonstrated: “Liu Bei and Liu Biao are both members of the Han imperial clan—we cannot lightly attack them. Sun Quan holds the six commanderies of Jiangdong like a crouching tiger, and the Yangtze River provides a natural barrier. He too is not easily taken. If Your Excellency launches this unjust campaign, you risk losing the realm’s support.” Cao Cao thundered, “Liu Bei, Liu Biao, and Sun Quan are all rebels against Heaven’s mandate—how can they go unpunished!” He dismissed Kong Rong with a roar and decreed, “Whoever dares to remonstrate again shall be executed.” Kong Rong left the court, looked up to heaven, and sighed, “When the supremely unrighteous attacks the supremely righteous, how can he not be defeated?” A guest of the Imperial Censor Xi Lu overheard this and reported it to Xi Lu, who had long resented Kong Rong’s arrogance. Xi Lu then informed Cao Cao, adding, “Kong Rong has always mocked Your Excellency. He is a close friend of Mi Heng, whom he praised as ‘Confucius reborn,’ while Mi Heng called him ‘Yan Hui returned to life.’ It was Kong Rong who prompted Mi Heng to humiliate you.” Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement to arrest Kong Rong. Kong Rong had two young sons at home, playing chess. A servant rushed in, crying, “Your father has been seized by the law! He will be executed! Flee at once!” The boys replied calmly, “When the nest is overturned, how can the eggs remain unbroken?” Before they could finish, the officers arrived, arrested the entire household, and executed them all. Kong Rong’s body was displayed in the marketplace. Zhi Xi of Jingzhao wept over the corpse. When Cao Cao heard of this, he grew furious and wanted to kill Zhi Xi as well. Xun Yu interceded: “I have heard that Zhi Xi often warned Kong Rong, ‘Your unbending nature will bring disaster.’ Now that Kong Rong is dead, Zhi Xi weeps for him—he is a righteous man. He should not be killed.” Cao Cao relented. Zhi Xi buried Kong Rong and his sons with due honor.
A poet of the time composed a eulogy for Kong Rong: “Kong Rong, who once governed Beihai, possessed a spirit that pierced the heavens. His table was ever filled with guests, his cup never empty of wine. His writings startled the age; his laughter and jests defied princes. History’s pen honors the loyal and upright—his name is recorded among the Grand Masters of the Palace.”
Having executed Kong Rong, Cao Cao ordered the five corps to march in succession, leaving only Xun Yu and a few others to guard Xuchang.
Meanwhile, Liu Biao of Jing Province, gravely ill, summoned Liu Bei to entrust his heir. Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, hastened to Jing Province. Liu Biao said, “My illness is beyond cure. I will soon die. I entrust my son to you, my worthy brother. My heir lacks talent and cannot carry on my work. After I am gone, take Jing Province for yourself.” Liu Bei wept and bowed, saying, “I will do all I can to support my nephew. How dare I harbor any other intention?” As they spoke, a messenger announced that Cao Cao was leading a massive army toward them. Liu Bei immediately took his leave and rode day and night back to Xin Ye. Liu Biao, hearing this news while ill, was greatly alarmed. He discussed writing a will naming his eldest son, Liu Qi, as his successor under Liu Bei’s guardianship. Lady Cai, Liu Biao’s wife, grew furious upon learning this. She sealed off the inner gates and ordered Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to guard the outer gates. When Liu Qi arrived from Jiangxia to visit his dying father, he was stopped at the outer gate by Cai Mao, who said, “You were commanded by your father to guard Jiangxia—a duty of utmost importance. If you abandon your post and the forces of Wu attack, what then? If you enter and anger your father, his illness will worsen—that would be unfilial. Return at once.” Liu Qi stood outside the gate, wept bitterly, mounted his horse, and rode back to Jiangxia. Liu Biao’s condition worsened. When Liu Qi did not come, he cried out several times and died on the day of Wushen in the eighth month. A poet lamented Liu Biao in verse: “Once we heard of Yuan Shao ruling north of the Yellow River, now we see Liu Biao dominating the lands of Han. But a hen crowing at dawn brought ruin to his house—alas, his line soon perished.”
After Liu Biao’s death, Lady Cai, Cai Mao, and Zhang Yun conspired to forge a will, naming Liu Biao’s younger son, Liu Cong, as ruler. They then held a funeral. Liu Cong, only fourteen years old but quite intelligent, gathered his officials and said, “My father is gone. My elder brother is in Jiangxia, and my uncle Liu Bei is in Xin Ye. If you make me ruler, what will happen when my brother and uncle raise an army to question this?” Before the officials could respond, Li Gui, a staff officer, spoke up: “Your words are wise. Send a mourning notice to Jiangxia at once, invite the elder prince to become ruler of Jing Province, and ask Liu Bei to assist in governing. This way, we can resist Cao Cao to the north and Sun Quan to the south. It is the perfect plan.” Cai Mao scolded him, “Who are you to speak recklessly and defy our lord’s dying command?” Li Gui cursed, “You conspire within and without, forge a will, and depose the elder for the younger! Soon the nine commanderies of Jing Province will fall into the hands of the Cai clan! If our departed lord has a spirit, he will strike you dead!” Cai Mao, enraged, ordered his guards to drag Li Gui out and execute him. Li Gui cursed until the very end. Thus, Cai Mao installed Liu Cong as ruler. The Cai family took command of Jing Province’s armies. Deng Yi, the Governor’s Secretary, and Liu Xian, the Assistant Governor, were left to guard the capital. Lady Cai and Liu Cong moved to Xiangyang to guard against Liu Qi and Liu Bei, burying Liu Biao at Hanyang Plain east of Xiangyang without informing either Liu Qi or Liu Bei.
No sooner had Liu Cong settled in Xiangyang than a messenger reported that Cao Cao’s army was marching directly toward them. Liu Cong, terrified, summoned Kuai Yue, Cai Mao, and others to discuss the situation. Fu Xun, a secretary, stepped forward and said, “Cao Cao’s approach is not our only worry. The elder prince is in Jiangxia, and Liu Bei is in Xin Ye—we have not informed either of the funeral. If they raise an army to question us, Jing Province will be in grave danger. I have a plan that will keep the people of Jing Province as safe as Mount Tai and preserve your title and honor.” Liu Cong asked, “What plan?” Fu Xun replied, “Surrender the nine commanderies of Jing Province to Cao Cao. He will surely treat you well.” Liu Cong scolded, “What nonsense is this? I have barely sat on my father’s throne—how can I abandon his legacy to another?” Kuai Yue said, “Fu Xun’s words are correct. There is a great principle of obedience and rebellion, and a fixed balance of strength and weakness. Cao Cao campaigns north and south in the name of the imperial court. If you resist him, you will lack legitimacy. Moreover, you have just come to power—external threats are not yet settled, and internal troubles are brewing. The people of Jing Province, hearing of Cao Cao’s approach, will lose heart before a single arrow is loosed. How can we face him?” Liu Cong replied, “Your words are good, and I do not wish to ignore them. But to abandon my father’s legacy to another—I fear I will be a laughingstock across the realm.”
Before he finished, a man stepped forward boldly and said, “Fu Xun and Kuai Yue speak wisely. Why not follow their advice?” All eyes turned to Wang Can, styled Zhongxuan, a man from Gaoping in Shanyang. Wang Can was thin and short of stature. As a child, he had visited the courtier Cai Yong, who was entertaining a hall full of guests. When Cai Yong heard that Wang Can had arrived, he rushed out to greet him, putting his shoes on backward in his haste. The astonished guests asked, “Why does the Master honor this boy so?” Cai Yong replied, “This child possesses extraordinary talent—I am not his equal.” Wang Can had a prodigious memory: he could recite a roadside inscription after reading it once; he could reconstruct a scattered chess game piece by piece without error. He was also skilled in mathematics and his literary works were unmatched in his time. At seventeen, he was summoned to serve as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate but declined. Later, fleeing chaos, he came to Jing Province, where Liu Biao treated him as an honored guest. Now, Wang Can addressed Liu Cong: “General, how do you compare yourself to Lord Cao?” Liu Cong answered, “I am not his equal.” Wang Can continued, “Lord Cao commands strong troops and valiant generals; he is full of stratagems. He captured Lü Bu at Xiapi, crushed Yuan Shao at Guandu, drove Liu Bei from Longyou, and broke the Wuhuan at Bailang. The number of rebels he has eliminated is beyond counting. Now he leads a great army south toward Jing Province—we cannot withstand him. The plan of Fu Xun and Kuai Yue is the wisest course. Do not hesitate, General, or you will regret it.” Liu Cong said, “Your instruction is most sound. But I must inform my mother.” At that moment, Lady Cai emerged from behind the screen and said, “Since Wang Can, Fu Xun, and Kuai Yue all agree, why ask me?” Thus, Liu Cong made his decision. He wrote a letter of surrender and sent Song Zhong secretly to deliver it to Cao Cao. Song Zhong reached Cao Cao’s camp at Wancheng and presented the letter. Cao Cao was overjoyed, rewarded Song Zhong handsomely, and instructed him to tell Liu Cong to come out of the city to welcome him, promising to make Liu Cong the permanent ruler of Jing Province.
Song Zhong took his leave and set out for Jing Province. As he was about to cross the river, he saw a troop of horsemen approaching. It was Guan Yu. Song Zhong tried to avoid him, but Guan Yu called him over and pressed him for news of Jing Province. At first, Song Zhong tried to conceal the truth, but under Guan Yu’s relentless questioning, he finally revealed everything. Guan Yu was horrified. He seized Song Zhong and took him to Xin Ye to see Liu Bei, recounting the whole story. Liu Bei wept bitterly upon hearing it. Zhang Fei said, “Things have come to this! Let us cut off Song Zhong’s head, then raise an army, cross the river, take Xiangyang, kill Lady Cai and Liu Cong, and then face Cao Cao in battle.” Liu Bei said, “Hold your tongue. I will decide what to do.” He then rebuked Song Zhong: “You knew what they were plotting—why did you not inform me earlier? Killing you now would serve no purpose. Go.” Song Zhong bowed in gratitude and fled in panic.
As Liu Bei sat in gloom, a messenger arrived from Liu Qi—Yi Ji. Liu Bei, grateful for Yi Ji’s past assistance, descended the steps to greet him and thanked him repeatedly. Yi Ji said, “The elder prince in Jiangxia has heard that Liu Biao has passed away. Lady Cai and Cai Mao conspired to conceal the funeral and installed Liu Cong as ruler. The prince sent men to Xiangyang to investigate, and they confirmed the news. Fearing you might not know, he sent me to deliver a mourning letter and to request that you raise your elite troops and join him in marching on Xiangyang to demand an accounting.” After reading the letter, Liu Bei said, “Yi Ji, you only know that Liu Cong has usurped power. You do not know that he has already surrendered the nine commanderies of Jing Province to Cao Cao!” Yi Ji was astonished. “How do you know this, my lord?” Liu Bei explained about capturing Song Zhong. Yi Ji said, “If this is so, my lord, go to Xiangyang on the pretext of mourning, lure Liu Cong out to greet you, seize him, execute his co-conspirators, and Jing Province will be yours.” Zhuge Liang added, “Yi Ji’s words are wise. You should follow them, my lord.” Liu Bei wept and said, “My brother entrusted his son to me on his deathbed. If I seize his child and take his land, how will I face my brother in the afterlife?” Zhuge Liang pressed, “If we do not do this, Cao Cao’s army is already at Wancheng—how will we resist?” Liu Bei replied, “Let us flee to Fancheng instead.”
As they debated, a scout galloped in with news that Cao Cao’s army had reached Bowing. Liu Bei hurriedly sent Yi Ji back to Jiangxia to organize the troops while he discussed a plan of defense with Zhuge Liang. Kongming said, “Do not worry, my lord. Last time, a single fire burned half of Xiahou Dun’s army. Now, Cao Cao’s forces come again, and they will fall for the same trick. We cannot stay in Xin Ye. Let us move to Fancheng.” He ordered notices posted at the four gates, informing the people: “All residents, young and old, men and women, who wish to follow us, come today to flee to Fancheng for safety. Do not delay.” He sent Sun Qian to the river to arrange boats for the people’s crossing and Mi Zhu to escort the officials’ families to Fancheng. Then, he gathered the generals to issue orders. First, he commanded Guan Yu to take a thousand troops to the upper reaches of the Bai River and lie in ambush. They were to carry cloth sacks filled with sand and earth to dam the river. At the third watch of the following night, upon hearing the sounds of men shouting and horses neighing downstream, they were to remove the dam and release the floodwaters, then follow the current downstream to join the attack. Next, he ordered Zhang Fei to take a thousand troops to ambush at the Boling Ferry crossing, where the current was slowest. The Cao army, fleeing the flood, would try to escape there, and Zhang Fei was to attack them. Next, he ordered Zhao Yun to lead three thousand troops, divided into four units.
Zhao Yun himself would command one unit lying in ambush outside the east gate, while the other three units were to conceal themselves outside the west, south, and north gates. Beforehand, they were to hide sulfur, saltpeter, and other flammable materials on the rooftops of the houses within the city. When Cao’s troops entered, they would surely occupy the houses to rest. At dusk the next day, a great wind would rise. At the first gust, the ambush units at the west, south, and north gates were to shoot fire arrows into the city. Once the flames raged, they were to shout and cheer from outside to create panic, leaving only the east gate open for the enemy to flee. Zhao Yun was to pursue them from behind. At dawn, they were to rendezvous with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and withdraw to Fancheng. Finally, he ordered Mi Fang and Liu Feng to take two thousand troops, half carrying red banners and half green, to the Magpie Tail Slope, thirty li outside Xin Ye. When Cao’s army arrived, the red banners were to move to the left and the green to the right, creating confusion. The enemy, suspecting an ambush, would not dare to pursue. Mi Fang and Liu Feng were then to split up and lie in ambush. When they saw the city in flames, they were to attack the fleeing enemy, then head to the upper reaches of the Bai River to join the main force. Having given all his orders, Zhuge Liang climbed a high vantage point with Liu Bei to await news of victory.
Cao Ren and Cao Hong led the first corps of one hundred thousand troops, with Xu Chu and three thousand armored cavalry in the van. They advanced with great fanfare toward Xin Ye. At noon, they reached Magpie Tail Slope, where they saw a cluster of troops ahead, flying red and green banners. Xu Chu urged his men forward. Mi Fang and Liu Feng divided their force into four units, the red and green banners separating to left and right. Xu Chu reined in his horse and ordered a halt. “There must be an ambush ahead,” he said. “We will hold here.” He galloped back to report to Cao Ren. Cao Ren said, “This is a feint to deceive us. There is no ambush. Press forward. I will bring up the rear.” Xu Chu returned to the slope and led his men in pursuit. But when they reached the woods, they found no one. The sun was setting. As Xu Chu prepared to advance, he heard the sound of drums and music from the hilltop. Looking up, he saw a cluster of banners and two canopies: beneath one sat Liu Bei, beneath the other Zhuge Liang, drinking wine together. Xu Chu, enraged, led his troops up the hill. But the defenders rolled logs and boulders down, blocking their advance. Shouts erupted from behind the hill. Xu Chu wanted to find a way to fight, but night had fallen.
Cao Ren arrived and ordered his troops to take Xin Ye and rest. When the soldiers reached the city, they found all four gates wide open. They entered without resistance—the city was completely empty. Cao Hong said, “They are isolated and desperate, so they fled with the people. Let us rest in the city tonight and advance at dawn.” The troops, exhausted and hungry, seized houses to cook their meals. Cao Ren and Cao Hong settled in the government offices. After the first watch, a great wind arose. The gate guards rushed in to report a fire. Cao Ren said, “It must be a cooking fire that spread—do not panic.” But before he finished, report after report came in: the west, south, and north gates were all ablaze. Cao Ren ordered his men to mount. By then, the entire city was on fire, the sky lit red. That night’s inferno was even fiercer than the burning of the camp at Bowing.
A poet of the time lamented: “The treacherous tyrant Cao Cao held the Central Plains, but in the ninth month, he marched south to the Han River. The wind god raged over Xin Ye County, and the fire god descended in a blaze that touched the heavens.”
Cao Ren led his generals through smoke and flame, seeking a way out. Hearing that the east gate was untouched, they rushed toward it. The soldiers trampled each other in panic, and countless died. No sooner had Cao Ren and his men escaped the fire than Zhao Yun attacked them from behind. The fleeing troops, each thinking only of saving himself, refused to turn and fight. As they fled, Mi Fang’s force struck them, then Liu Feng’s. By the fourth watch, the men and horses were utterly exhausted, many with scorched faces and singed hair. They reached the Bai River, rejoicing to find it shallow. Men and horses alike plunged in to drink, their shouts and neighs filling the air.
Guan Yu, who had been damming the river upstream, saw the flames of Xin Ye at dusk. At the fourth watch, hearing the noise downstream, he ordered his men to remove the dam. A torrent of water surged downstream, drowning countless men and horses of Cao’s army. Cao Ren led his remaining troops toward the slowest current to escape. At Boling Ferry, a war cry rang out, and a force blocked their path. At its head was Zhang Fei, who roared, “Cao traitor, come and die!” Terror seized Cao’s army. Truly: “They had just seen crimson flames belch forth within the city, when black winds met them at the river’s edge.”
Whether Cao Ren would survive, let the next chapter reveal.