As we were saying, Cao Cao had decisively defeated Lü Bu at Dingtao. Lü Bu gathered the remnants of his shattered army along the seacoast, where his scattered generals gradually returned to him. He was eager to turn and fight Cao Cao again, but Chen Gong advised against it. "Cao Cao's forces are now too powerful for us to challenge directly," Chen Gong said. "We should first find a secure base to regroup. We can confront him later, when the time is right." Lü Bu asked, "What if I seek refuge with Yuan Shao again?" Chen Gong replied, "First, send someone to Ji Province to gauge the situation. Only then should we decide." Lü Bu agreed.
Meanwhile, in Ji Province, Yuan Shao learned of the stalemate between Cao Cao and Lü Bu. His strategist, Shen Pei, stepped forward and said, "Lü Bu is a ravenous wolf and a tiger. If he seizes Yan Province, he will surely set his sights on Ji Province next. It would be better to help Cao Cao defeat him now, to avoid future trouble." Yuan Shao agreed and dispatched General Yan Liang with fifty thousand troops to reinforce Cao Cao. Spies quickly relayed this news to Lü Bu, who was greatly alarmed. He consulted Chen Gong, who said, "I hear that Liu Xuande has recently taken control of Xu Province. We could seek shelter with him." Lü Bu followed this advice and set out for Xu Province.
When Liu Bei received word of Lü Bu's approach, he said, "Lü Bu is a man of unparalleled bravery in this age. We should go out and welcome him." Mi Zhu objected, saying, "Lü Bu is a tiger and a wolf. Taking him in would be like inviting a predator into our home—he will surely harm us." Liu Bei replied, "If not for Lü Bu's attack on Yan Province, how could we have relieved this commandery from Cao Cao's pressure? Now he comes to us in desperation. How could he harbor any ill intent?" Zhang Fei grumbled, "Brother, your heart is too kind. Even so, we must be prepared."
Liu Bei led his officers thirty li outside the city to meet Lü Bu. The two rode side by side into the city and proceeded to the provincial government hall. After exchanging formal greetings, they sat down. Lü Bu began, "Ever since I plotted with Minister Wang Yun to kill Dong Zhuo, I have been beset by the chaos caused by Li Jue and Guo Si. I have wandered through the lands east of the Pass, but few lords would offer me shelter. Recently, the villain Cao Cao, in his lack of righteousness, invaded Xu Province. Thanks to your efforts, Lord, in aiding Tao Qian, I attacked Yan Province to divide Cao Cao's strength. But I fell into his treacherous schemes, losing both soldiers and generals. Now I come to pledge my service to you, Lord, so that we might achieve great things together. I dare to ask your esteemed intent." Liu Bei replied, "Governor Tao Qian has recently passed away, leaving Xu Province without a leader. I have only been temporarily entrusted with its administration. Now that you, General, have arrived, it is only right that I yield the office to you." With that, Liu Bei offered the seal and tally of command to Lü Bu. Lü Bu was about to accept when he noticed the furious expressions on the faces of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, who stood behind Liu Bei. Lü Bu forced a laugh and said, "I am but a simple warrior of brute strength. How could I possibly serve as Provincial Governor?" Liu Bei insisted on yielding the post, but Chen Gong interjected, "A strong guest should not overshadow his host. Please, my lord, set aside your doubts." Only then did Liu Bei desist. He hosted a banquet for Lü Bu and arranged a residence for him to settle in.
The next day, Lü Bu returned the courtesy by inviting Liu Bei to a feast, and Liu Bei brought Guan Yu and Zhang Fei along. When the wine had flowed freely, Lü Bu invited Liu Bei into the inner hall, with Guan and Zhang following. Lü Bu called for his wife and daughter to pay their respects to Liu Bei, who repeatedly declined the honor. Lü Bu said, "Worthy younger brother, there is no need for such modesty." At this, Zhang Fei's eyes blazed with fury. "My brother is of the imperial bloodline, a golden branch and jade leaf!" he roared. "Who do you think you are, daring to call him 'younger brother'? Come! I'll fight you three hundred rounds!" Liu Bei hurriedly silenced Zhang Fei, and Guan Yu escorted him out. Liu Bei apologized to Lü Bu, saying, "My crude younger brother speaks wildly under the influence of wine. Please, brother, do not take offense." Lü Bu remained silent. Soon after, the feast ended, and Lü Bu saw Liu Bei to the gate. Zhang Fei, mounted on his horse and brandishing his spear, galloped up, bellowing, "Lü Bu! I challenge you to three hundred bouts!" Liu Bei quickly ordered Guan Yu to restrain him.
The following day, Lü Bu came to take his leave of Liu Bei. "I am grateful that you, Lord, have not abandoned me," he said, "but I fear your brothers cannot tolerate my presence. I must seek refuge elsewhere." Liu Bei replied, "If you leave, General, the fault would be mine alone. My younger brother was insolent, and I will have him apologize to you another day. There is a nearby town called Xiaopei, where I once stationed my troops. If you, General, do not find it too humble a place, you could rest your horses there for a time. I will supply you with all the grain and provisions you need." Lü Bu thanked Liu Bei and led his troops to settle in Xiaopei. Liu Bei, for his part, went to reprimand Zhang Fei, but we shall say no more of this.
Now, after pacifying the region east of the Taihang Mountains, Cao Cao submitted a memorial to the court. In response, the Emperor appointed Cao Cao as General Who Establishes Virtue and enfeoffed him as the Marquis of Feiting. At this time, Li Jue had made himself Grand Marshal, and Guo Si had made himself Grand General. They acted with arrogant lawlessness, and no one at court dared to speak against them. Grand Commandant Yang Biao and Grand Minister of Agriculture Zhu Jun secretly petitioned Emperor Xian, saying, "Cao Cao now commands over two hundred thousand troops and has dozens of strategists and generals. If we can secure his support to stabilize the state and purge the treacherous faction, it would be a great fortune for the realm." The Emperor wept and said, "I have suffered under these two villains for so long! If they could be eliminated, it would be a supreme blessing!" Yang Biao said, "I have a plan, Your Majesty. First, we will set the two villains against each other. Then, we can summon Cao Cao to lead his army in destroying them, sweeping away the traitors and restoring peace to the court." The Emperor asked, "What is your plan?" Yang Biao replied, "I have heard that Guo Si's wife is extremely jealous. If we send someone to use a divisive scheme against her, the two villains will turn on each other."
The Emperor wrote a secret edict and gave it to Yang Biao. Yang Biao then secretly sent his wife to Guo Si's residence on some pretext. Seizing an opportunity, she said to Guo Si's wife, "I have heard that General Guo has been having an affair with Lady Li, the wife of Grand Marshal Li Jue. Their relations are very intimate. If the Grand Marshal finds out, General Guo will surely be in danger. You should cut off any further contact between them." Guo Si's wife was shocked. "No wonder he stays out all night!" she exclaimed. "So this is the shameless act he has been up to! If not for your words, I would have remained ignorant. I will be on my guard." Lady Yang Biao took her leave, and Guo Si's wife thanked her profusely. A few days later, Guo Si was about to go to Li Jue's residence for a banquet. His wife said, "Li Jue is unpredictable. Besides, two heroes cannot coexist. If he puts poison in your wine, what will become of me?" Guo Si refused to listen, but his wife repeatedly insisted until he stayed home. That evening, Li Jue sent a feast of wine and food to Guo Si's house. Guo Si's wife secretly added poison to the dishes before presenting them. When Guo Si was about to eat, his wife said, "Food from outside—how can you eat it without testing it first?" She fed some to a dog, which immediately died. From then on, Guo Si was filled with suspicion. One day after court, Li Jue earnestly invited Guo Si to his home for a feast. The banquet lasted until nightfall, and Guo Si returned home drunk, only to suffer from a sudden stomachache. His wife said, "You must have been poisoned!" She quickly had him drink a purgative of dung water, and he vomited, which finally stabilized him.
Guo Si flew into a rage. "Li Jue and I were working together on a great enterprise," he fumed, "and now he tries to murder me for no reason! If I do not strike first, I will surely fall into his trap." He secretly mobilized his own troops, intending to attack Li Jue. Word of this reached Li Jue, who also became enraged. "How dare Guo Aduo act like this!" he roared. He mustered his forces and set out to kill Guo Si. The two armies, numbering tens of thousands, began a chaotic battle right outside the walls of Chang'an, plundering the residents as they fought. Li Jue's nephew, Li Xian, surrounded the imperial palace with his troops. He brought two carriages—one for the Emperor and one for Empress Fu—and placed Jia Xu and Zuo Ling in charge of escorting them. The remaining palace attendants and eunuchs were forced to flee on foot. As they emerged from the rear gate of the palace, they ran straight into Guo Si's soldiers, who loosed a volley of arrows, killing countless attendants. Li Jue then pursued and attacked, driving Guo Si's forces back. The imperial carriage braved the danger and escaped the city, but was forcibly taken to Li Jue's camp. Guo Si, meanwhile, led his troops into the palace, looting all the imperial concubines and maids and taking them back to his camp, before setting the palace ablaze. The next day, learning that Li Jue had captured the Emperor, Guo Si led his army to Li Jue's camp to fight. The Emperor and Empress were both terrified.
A poet of later times lamented this tragedy: The restoration of the Han by Emperor Guangwu had begun a glorious era, with twelve successive emperors carrying the line. But Emperors Huan and Ling, lacking virtue, brought the dynasty to ruin, as eunuchs usurped power and became the true rulers. He Jin, a man without strategy, rose to the highest office, but in his attempt to purge the court vermin, he summoned a tyrant. Though he drove out the jackals and otters, he let in the tigers and wolves, and the rebellious scoundrels of the western regions brought forth their monstrous evil. Wang Yun, in his loyalty, trusted a woman of rouge and powder, which led to conflict between Dong Zhuo and Lü Bu. The chief villain was destroyed, and the realm was at peace—but who could have foreseen the vengeful fury of Li Jue and Guo Si? The sacred land was overrun with thorns and brambles, and the six palaces suffered famine and the sorrow of war. When the people's hearts depart, the Mandate of Heaven is lost, and heroes carve up the mountains and rivers for themselves. Later rulers should learn from this and hold their golden realm with diligence, never letting it be carelessly broken. The common people are ground to paste, their brains and blood spilled across the land, staining the remaining hills and rivers with resentment and blood. I read these annals of the past and can bear the sorrow no longer—through the ages, the rise and fall of kingdoms is a tale of endless regret. A ruler must heed the warning of the mulberry and bramble, for who will hold the great sword and maintain the web of order?
When Guo Si's army arrived, Li Jue rode out of his camp to meet them. Guo Si's forces were at a disadvantage and temporarily withdrew. Li Jue then moved the Emperor and Empress's carriage to the fortress of Meiwu, placing his nephew Li Xian in charge of guarding them. He cut off all communication from the inner court, and food supplies became irregular. The attending officials all showed signs of hunger. The Emperor sent a request to Li Jue for five hu of rice and five sets of beef bones to distribute to his attendants. Li Jue angrily replied, "I provide you with meals morning and evening—why do you ask for more?" He then sent rotten meat and moldy grain, which stank and was inedible. The Emperor cursed, "How dare this rebel treat me with such contempt!" Attendant Yang Qi urgently counseled the Emperor, saying, "Li Jue is cruel and violent by nature. Given the situation, Your Majesty must endure and not provoke his wrath." The Emperor bowed his head in silence, his tears soaking the sleeves of his robe. Suddenly, a messenger reported, "An army has arrived, their spears and swords glittering in the sun, their drums and gongs shaking the heavens—they have come to rescue Your Majesty!" The Emperor ordered inquiries, only to learn that it was Guo Si. His heart grew even more anxious. Soon, a great clamor arose outside the fortress. It turned out that Li Jue had led his troops out to meet Guo Si. Pointing his whip at Guo Si, Li Jue cursed, "I treated you well—why did you plot against me?" Guo Si retorted, "You are a rebel! Why shouldn't I kill you?" Li Jue said, "I am protecting the Emperor—how am I a rebel?" Guo Si replied, "This is a kidnapping, not protection!" Li Jue said, "Enough talk! Let us settle this without our soldiers—just the two of us, man to man. The winner takes the Emperor." The two generals then engaged in single combat before their armies. After ten exchanges, neither had gained the upper hand. Suddenly, Yang Biao came galloping up on his horse, shouting, "Generals, hold! I have invited a group of court officials to mediate a peace between you." Li Jue and Guo Si each withdrew to their camps.
Yang Biao and Zhu Jun gathered over sixty court officials and first went to Guo Si's camp to urge peace. Guo Si, however, took all the officials prisoner. The officials protested, "We came in good faith—why are you treating us like this?" Guo Si replied, "Li Jue kidnapped the Emperor—why shouldn't I kidnap the high ministers?" Yang Biao demanded, "One kidnaps the Emperor, the other kidnaps the ministers—what do you intend?" Guo Si flew into a rage and drew his sword to kill Yang Biao, but General of the Household Yang Mi strenuously dissuaded him. Guo Si released Yang Biao and Zhu Jun but kept the rest imprisoned in his camp. Yang Biao said to Zhu Jun, "We are ministers of the state, yet we cannot correct the ruler or save our sovereign—our lives are lived in vain!" With these words, they embraced and wept until they fainted. Zhu Jun returned home, fell ill, and died. From then on, Li Jue and Guo Si fought daily for over fifty days, with countless casualties on both sides.
Now, Li Jue had always been fond of superstitious and heretical practices. He often had female shamans beat drums and summon spirits in his camp. Jia Xu repeatedly remonstrated with him, but Li Jue would not listen. Attendant Yang Qi secretly reported to the Emperor, "I have observed that although Jia Xu is a trusted confidant of Li Jue, he has never forgotten his duty to Your Majesty. You should consult with him." Just as he was speaking, Jia Xu arrived. The Emperor dismissed his attendants and, weeping, said to Jia Xu, "Can you, sir, take pity on the Han dynasty and save my life?" Jia Xu prostrated himself and replied, "This has always been my wish, Your Majesty. Please do not speak of it now—I will find a way." The Emperor dried his tears and thanked him. Shortly after, Li Jue came to see the Emperor, entering with his sword drawn. The Emperor's face turned ashen. Li Jue said to the Emperor, "Guo Si is a disloyal subject who has imprisoned the high ministers and intended to kidnap Your Majesty. If not for me, Your Majesty would have been captured." The Emperor clasped his hands in thanks, and Li Jue departed.
At that time, Huangfu Li came to see the Emperor. The Emperor knew that Huangfu Li was an eloquent speaker and, as he was from the same hometown as Li Jue, he sent him to mediate between the two sides. Huangfu Li accepted the edict and went to Guo Si's camp to speak with him. Guo Si said, "If Li Jue will release the Emperor, I will release the ministers." Huangfu Li then went to see Li Jue and said, "The Emperor, knowing that I am from the western regions like yourself, has sent me to urge peace between you two. Guo Si has already accepted the edict. What is your intention?" Li Jue replied, "I have the great achievement of defeating Lü Bu. I have assisted in the government for four years and have many meritorious deeds, known throughout the realm. Guo Aduo is nothing but a horse thief, yet he dares to kidnap the high ministers and oppose me! I swear I will kill him! Look at my strategy and my troops—are they not enough to defeat Guo Aduo?" Huangfu Li answered, "Not so. In ancient times, the tyrant Hou Yi of the Youqiong tribe relied on his archery skills and did not consider danger, which led to his downfall. More recently, you yourself witnessed the strength of Grand Preceptor Dong Zhuo. Lü Bu received his favor but turned against him, and in an instant, his head hung from the city gate. Thus, strength alone cannot be relied upon. You, General, are a senior commander, holding the ceremonial axe and staff of authority. Your descendants and clan all occupy high positions. The state's favor toward you could not be greater. Now, if Guo Aduo has kidnapped the ministers, and you, General, have kidnapped the Emperor, who is truly the more guilty?" Li Jue flew into a rage and drew his sword, shouting, "Did the Emperor send you here to insult me? I will cut off your head first!" Colonel Yang Feng counseled, "If you kill the Emperor's envoy before Guo Si has been dealt with, Guo Si will have a just cause to raise his army, and all the feudal lords will come to his aid." Jia Xu also strongly urged restraint, and Li Jue's anger subsided somewhat. Jia Xu then pushed Huangfu Li out. Huangfu Li shouted, "Li Jue refuses to obey the imperial edict—he wants to kill the Emperor and set himself up!" Attendant Hu Miao urgently stopped him, saying, "Do not say such things—it will bring harm upon yourself!" Huangfu Li rebuked him, saying, "Hu Jingcai! You are a minister of the court—how can you side with a rebel? When the ruler is disgraced, the minister must die. If I am killed by Li Jue, it is my fate!" He continued to curse loudly. When the Emperor learned of this, he quickly ordered Huangfu Li to return to the western regions.
Most of Li Jue's troops were from the western regions, and he relied heavily on Qiang tribal auxiliaries. However, Huangfu Li had spread word among the western soldiers, saying, "Li Jue is plotting rebellion. Anyone who follows him is a member of the rebel faction and will face severe consequences." Many western soldiers heeded Huangfu Li's words, and the army's morale began to waver. When Li Jue heard of this, he was furious and sent the palace guard Wang Chang to pursue Huangfu Li. Wang Chang, knowing that Huangfu Li was a loyal and righteous man, did not give chase. He simply returned and reported, "Huangfu Li has vanished—I do not know where he has gone." Jia Xu then secretly instructed the Qiang tribesmen, saying, "The Emperor knows of your loyalty and righteousness and that you have endured hardship in prolonged battle. He has secretly commanded you to return to your homeland and will later bestow rich rewards upon you." The Qiang, who were already resentful that Li Jue had not granted them titles or rewards, heeded Jia Xu's words and led their troops away. Jia Xu also secretly reported to the Emperor, "Li Jue is greedy and lacks foresight. Now that his army is scattered and his spirit is weak, you can tempt him with a high title." The Emperor issued an edict, appointing Li Jue as Grand Marshal. Li Jue was overjoyed. "This is the power of the female shamans' spirit-summoning rituals!" he exclaimed. He lavishly rewarded the shamans but gave nothing to his generals and soldiers. Colonel Yang Feng was furious. He said to Song Guo, "We have risked our lives, braving arrows and stones in battle, yet our merit is considered less than that of a female shaman!" Song Guo replied, "Why not kill this villain and rescue the Emperor?"
Yang Feng said, "You set a fire in the central camp as a signal, and I will lead my troops to attack from outside." The two agreed to act at the second watch that night. But their plan was not kept secret, and someone informed Li Jue. Li Jue was enraged and had Song Guo captured and executed first. Yang Feng waited outside with his troops, but no signal fire appeared. Li Jue led his own forces out and encountered Yang Feng. They fought a chaotic battle within the camp until the fourth watch. Unable to prevail, Yang Feng led his troops and fled to Xi'an. From then on, Li Jue's military strength gradually waned. Moreover, Guo Si constantly attacked him, inflicting heavy casualties. Suddenly, a messenger reported, "Zhang Ji has arrived with a large army from Shaanxi. He wishes to mediate peace between you two. He has declared that if you refuse, he will attack." Li Jue, seeing an opportunity to save face, first sent someone to Zhang Ji's camp to agree to peace. Guo Si also had no choice but to consent. Zhang Ji submitted a memorial requesting that the Emperor move his court to Hongnong. The Emperor was delighted. "I have longed to return to the eastern capital," he said. "To be able to return now is a great fortune!" He issued an edict appointing Zhang Ji as General of Chariots and Cavalry. Zhang Ji provided grain, wine, and meat to supply the court officials. Guo Si released the imprisoned ministers from his camp. Li Jue prepared the imperial carriage for the eastward journey and dispatched several hundred of the old Imperial Guard, armed with halberds, to escort the Emperor.
The imperial procession passed through Xinfeng and arrived at Baling. It was autumn, and a biting wind suddenly arose. Then, a great shout rang out, and several hundred soldiers rushed to block the bridge ahead. They demanded harshly, "Who goes there?" Attendant Yang Qi rode his horse onto the bridge and said, "The imperial carriage is passing—who dares to block the way?" Two generals emerged and said, "We are under orders from General Guo to guard this bridge and prevent spies from crossing. If this is truly the imperial carriage, we must see the Emperor himself before we can believe it." Yang Qi raised the pearl curtain. The Emperor said, "I am here in person. Why do you not withdraw?" The soldiers shouted, "Long live the Emperor!" and parted to the sides, allowing the procession to pass. The two generals returned to Guo Si and reported, "The Emperor has passed." Guo Si said, "I was trying to deceive Zhang Ji so I could recapture the Emperor and take him back to Meiwu. How could you let him through?" He had the two generals executed and then led his army in pursuit. The imperial carriage had just reached Huayin County when a thunderous roar arose from behind, with shouts of, "Halt the carriage!" The Emperor tearfully said to his ministers, "We have barely escaped the wolf's den, only to fall into the tiger's mouth. What are we to do?" Everyone turned pale with fear. The enemy forces drew closer. Then, a burst of drumming was heard, and from behind a mountain, a general emerged leading over a thousand troops. Before him flew a banner inscribed with the words: "Yang Feng of Great Han."
It turned out that after Yang Feng had been defeated by Li Jue, he had stationed his troops at the foot of Mount Zhongnan. Hearing that the Emperor was passing through, he had come to offer protection. He deployed his forces in battle formation. Guo Si's general, Cui Yong, rode out and cursed Yang Feng as a "rebel." Yang Feng was furious. He looked back at his own ranks and called out, "Gongming, where are you?" A general wielding a great battle-axe and riding a piebald horse charged forth, straight at Cui Yong. The two horses met, and in a single exchange, Cui Yong was cut down from his horse. Yang Feng seized the opportunity to launch a full assault, routing Guo Si's army and driving them back over twenty li. Yang Feng then gathered his troops and went to see the Emperor. The Emperor comforted him, saying, "You have saved me—your merit is no small thing!" Yang Feng kowtowed in gratitude. The Emperor asked, "Who was the general who just cut down the enemy commander?" Yang Feng brought the general forward to bow before the imperial carriage. "This man is from Yang Commandery in Hedong," he said. "His surname is Xu, his given name Huang, and his style name Gongming." The Emperor offered words of comfort and reward. Yang Feng escorted the Emperor to Huayin, where they made camp for the night. General Duan Wei presented clothing, food, and drink to the Emperor. That night, the Emperor slept in Yang Feng's camp.
After his defeat, Guo Si regrouped and the next day led his army to attack the camp. Xu Huang rode out to meet them, but Guo Si's forces surrounded the Emperor and Yang Feng from all sides, trapping them in a desperate situation. Just as the crisis reached its peak, a great shout arose from the southeast, and a general galloped in with his troops, scattering the enemy. Xu Huang pressed the attack, inflicting a heavy defeat on Guo Si's army. The newcomer came before the Emperor—it was the imperial relative by marriage, Dong Cheng. The Emperor tearfully recounted all that had happened. Dong Cheng said, "Your Majesty, do not worry. I swear to Yang Feng that we will cut down these two villains and pacify the realm." The Emperor ordered them to proceed quickly to the eastern capital. The procession set out that very night and advanced to Hongnong.
Now, as Guo Si led his defeated army back, he encountered Li Jue. Guo Si said, "Yang Feng and Dong Cheng have rescued the Emperor and taken him to Hongnong. If they establish themselves east of the mountains, they will issue proclamations to all the feudal lords, calling for a joint campaign against us. Our entire clans will be wiped out!" Li Jue replied, "Zhang Ji's army now occupies Chang'an. We cannot act rashly. But we can secretly combine our forces, pursue them to Hongnong, kill the Han ruler, and divide the realm between us. Why not?" Guo Si agreed with delight. They united their armies and plundered everything in their path, leaving nothing behind. Yang Feng and Dong Cheng, learning that the enemy was approaching, turned their forces around and engaged them in a great battle at East Stream. Li Jue and Guo Si consulted each other and said, "We outnumber them. The best strategy is to overwhelm them in a chaotic melee." So Li Jue took the left flank and Guo Si the right, and they advanced in a vast, unbroken wave covering the hills and plains. Yang Feng and Dong Cheng fought desperately on both sides, barely managing to protect the Emperor and Empress's carriage as it escaped. All the court officials, palace women, imperial records, registers, and royal paraphernalia were abandoned. Guo Si led his troops into Hongnong to plunder. Dong Cheng and Yang Feng escorted the Emperor north toward Shanbei, with Li Jue and Guo Si splitting their forces to give chase.
Dong Cheng and Yang Feng sent envoys to negotiate peace with Li Jue and Guo Si, while secretly dispatching an imperial edict to the lands east of the river, urgently summoning the former White Wave bandit leaders Han Xian, Li Le, and Hu Cai to come to the rescue with their troops. Li Le was himself a bandit who had gathered followers in the mountains, but the court had no choice but to summon him in this crisis. When the three bands heard that the Emperor was offering amnesty and official positions, how could they refuse? They mobilized all their forces and rendezvoused with Dong Cheng, planning to retake Hongnong. Wherever Li Jue and Guo Si went, they plundered the people, killing the old and weak and conscripting the strong into their army. When facing the enemy, they would drive these conscripted civilians in front, calling them "dare-to-die troops." The rebel forces were vast and powerful. When Li Le's army arrived, they met at Weiyang. Guo Si ordered his men to scatter clothing and goods on the road. When Li Le's soldiers saw the ground covered with valuables, they scrambled to pick them up, breaking their formations. Li Jue and Guo Si's forces then attacked from all sides in a chaotic melee, routing Li Le's army. Yang Feng and Dong Cheng could not hold the line and escorted the Emperor north, with the enemy in hot pursuit. Li Le said, "The situation is dire! Your Majesty, please mount a horse and ride ahead!" The Emperor replied, "I cannot abandon my officials and flee." Everyone wept and followed him. Hu Cai was killed by the chaotic soldiers.
Seeing the pursuers closing in, Dong Cheng and Yang Feng begged the Emperor to abandon the carriage and proceed on foot to the banks of the Yellow River. Li Le managed to find a small boat to serve as a ferry. It was a bitterly cold day. The Emperor and Empress barely managed to reach the riverbank, but the bank was too high for them to board the boat. The pursuing army was almost upon them. Yang Feng said, "Untie the horses' reins and tie them together. Fasten them around the Emperor's waist and lower him down to the boat." From the crowd, Imperial Uncle Fu De produced a dozen bolts of white silk he had picked up in the chaos. "I found this silk amid the fighting," he said. "We can use it to lower the carriage." Colonel Shang Hong wrapped the Emperor and Empress in the silk and had the men hang them down, finally getting them aboard the boat. Li Le stood on the prow, sword in hand. The Empress's brother, Fu De, carried her on his back into the boat. On the shore, those who could not board the boat frantically grabbed at the mooring ropes. Li Le cut off their hands, sending them into the water. After ferrying the Emperor and Empress across, he sent the boat back for the others. In the scramble to cross, many had their fingers chopped off, and the air was filled with the sound of weeping.
Once on the other side, the Emperor was left with only a dozen attendants. Yang Feng found an ox-cart to carry the Emperor to Taiyang. They had no food and spent the night in a mud hut. An old countryman offered them a meal of coarse grain. The Emperor and Empress tried to eat it, but it was too rough to swallow. The next day, the Emperor issued an edict appointing Li Le as General Who Conquers the North and Han Xian as General Who Conquers the East. The procession moved on. Two ministers arrived, weeping and prostrating themselves before the ox-cart. They were Grand Commandant Yang Biao and Grand Servitor Han Rong. The Emperor and Empress both wept. Han Rong said, "Li Jue and Guo Si trust my words to some extent. I will risk my life to persuade them to cease hostilities. Your Majesty, please take good care of your dragon body." Han Rong departed. Li Le invited the Emperor to rest temporarily in Yang Feng's camp. Yang Biao requested that the Emperor make his court at Anyi County. When the imperial procession arrived at Anyi, there was a shortage of proper buildings. The Emperor and Empress had to live in a thatched hut, which had no door. Thorny bushes were planted around it as a makeshift barrier. The Emperor conducted court affairs with his ministers under the thatched roof, while the generals stationed their troops outside the fence to maintain order. Li Le and others seized power. If any official offended them in the slightest, they would beat and curse him right in front of the Emperor. They deliberately sent poor-quality wine and coarse food to the Emperor, who forced himself to accept it. Li Le and Han Xian jointly submitted a petition recommending over two hundred commoners, personal retainers, shamans, and servants for appointment as Colonels and Imperial Secretaries. There was no time to carve official seals, so they simply scratched the characters onto them with awls—a complete mockery of proper procedure.
Now, Han Rong went to persuade Li Jue and Guo Si to relent. The two villains heeded his words and released the court officials and palace women. That year, there was a great famine. The people survived on dates and wild vegetables, and the roads were littered with the bodies of the starving. Zhang Yang, the Grand Administrator of Henei, donated grain and meat, while Wang Yi, the Grand Administrator of Hedong, contributed silk and cloth. The Emperor finally had some relief. Dong Cheng and Yang Feng discussed the situation. They sent men to repair the palaces in Luoyang, intending to escort the Emperor back to the eastern capital. Li Le objected. Dong Cheng said to Li Le, "Luoyang was originally the capital where the Son of Heaven should dwell. Anyi is too small a place to accommodate the imperial court. Taking the Emperor back to Luoyang is the proper course." Li Le replied, "You can escort the Emperor if you wish. I will stay here." So Dong Cheng and Yang Feng prepared to depart with the Emperor. Li Le secretly sent word to Li Jue and Guo Si, plotting to kidnap the Emperor together. Dong Cheng, Yang Feng, and Han Xian learned of the plot. That night, they deployed their troops and escorted the imperial carriage toward Jiguan Pass. When Li Le heard of this, he did not wait for Li Jue and Guo Si's forces to arrive. He led his own men in pursuit. Around the fourth watch, they reached the foot of Ji Mountain, and Li Le shouted, "Halt the carriage! Li Jue and Guo Si are here!" The Emperor was terrified, his heart pounding with fear. Fires blazed all over the mountain. Truly: First, the two villains were divided; now, three villains have united as one. If you want to know how the Han Emperor escaped this peril, you must read the next chapter.