Cao Cao was about to execute Liu Dai and Wang Zhong. Kong Rong advised him: "Those two were no match for Liu Bei in the first place. If you behead them, you risk losing the loyalty of your officers." Cao Cao spared their lives but stripped them of their ranks and stipends. He then considered leading an army himself against Liu Bei. Kong Rong said: "It is now deep winter, the height of bitter cold. We cannot move troops. Wait until spring. First, send envoys to persuade Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao to submit, and then we can deal with Xu Province." Cao Cao agreed and dispatched Liu Ye to negotiate with Zhang Xiu.
Liu Ye arrived at Xiangcheng and first met with Jia Xu, praising Cao Cao's great virtue. Jia Xu hosted Liu Ye in his home. The next day, Jia Xu visited Zhang Xiu and explained that Cao Cao had sent Liu Ye to seek his submission. As they spoke, a messenger arrived from Yuan Shao. Zhang Xiu ordered him admitted. The messenger presented a letter. Zhang Xiu read it—it was also an offer of alliance. Jia Xu asked the messenger: "How have your recent campaigns against Cao Cao fared?" The messenger replied: "In the bitter cold of winter, we have temporarily suspended operations. My master, knowing that you, General, and Liu Biao of Jing Province are men of true national stature, has sent me to invite you to join him." Jia Xu laughed loudly and said: "You can return to Yuan Benchu and tell him this: if he cannot even tolerate his own brothers, how can he tolerate the great men of the realm?" He tore the letter to pieces on the spot and ordered the messenger out.
Zhang Xiu said: "Yuan Shao is strong and Cao Cao is weak. Now that you have torn up the letter and dismissed the messenger, what will we do if Yuan Shao attacks?" Jia Xu replied: "Better to submit to Cao Cao." Zhang Xiu protested: "But I have a past grievance with him. How can he accept me?" Jia Xu explained: "Submitting to Cao Cao has three advantages. First, Cao Cao acts under the emperor's clear decree, commanding the realm in Heaven's name—this is the proper course. Second, Yuan Shao is strong; if we, with our small force, join him, he will not value us. Cao Cao, though weak, will be delighted to have us—this is the wise course. Third, Cao Cao has the ambition of a true king or hegemon; he will set aside private grudges to demonstrate his virtue to all under Heaven—this is the strategic course. I hope you will not hesitate." Zhang Xiu accepted this advice and summoned Liu Ye for a meeting. Liu Ye spoke at length of Cao Cao's virtue, adding: "If the Chancellor remembered old grievances, would he have sent me to forge ties with you, General?" Zhang Xiu was overjoyed and immediately journeyed with Jia Xu to Xuchang to surrender. When Zhang Xiu appeared before Cao Cao and knelt at the foot of the steps, Cao Cao hurriedly raised him, took his hand, and said: "Small faults—do not dwell on them." He then appointed Zhang Xiu General Who Displays Martial Valor and Jia Xu as Imperial Marshal of the Palace Guard.
Cao Cao then ordered Zhang Xiu to write a letter urging Liu Biao to submit. Jia Xu advised: "Liu Biao values associating with famous scholars. We must send a man of literary renown to persuade him before he will surrender." Cao Cao asked Xun Yu: "Who is suitable?" Xun Yu replied: "Kong Wenju is up to the task." Cao Cao agreed. Xun Yu went to see Kong Rong and said: "The Chancellor seeks a man of literary fame to serve as an envoy. Can you fill this role?" Kong Rong replied: "My friend Mi Heng, styled Zhengping, has ten times my talent. Such a man belongs at the emperor's side, not merely as an envoy. I shall recommend him to the Son of Heaven." He then submitted a memorial to the emperor.
A poet of the time recorded its contents: "I have heard that when the great flood raged, the emperor sought men to tame it, searching the four corners of the realm for worthy talent. In former days, Emperor Wu of Han inherited the throne and sought to expand the imperial enterprise, summoning scholars from every quarter, and they answered his call. Your Majesty, wise and sagely, has taken up the imperial legacy, yet you face troubled times, laboring humbly from dawn to dusk. The sacred mountains send forth their spirits, and extraordinary men arise together. I humbly present the scholar Mi Heng of Pingyuan, aged twenty-four, styled Zhengping. His nature is pure and upright, his talent brilliant and surpassing. From his first steps into the arts and letters, he entered the hall and beheld the deepest mysteries. What his eyes see once, his mouth recites; what his ears hear briefly, his heart never forgets. His spirit is in harmony with the Way, his thoughts like those of a god. Sang Hongyang's hidden calculations and Zhang Anshi's silent memory—compared to Mi Heng, they seem unremarkable. He is loyal, resolute, and upright, his heart pure as frost and snow. He is startled by goodness and hates evil as his enemy. The defiant conduct of Ren Zuo and the stern integrity of Shi Yu could scarcely surpass him. A hundred birds of prey are not worth one osprey. If Mi Heng were placed at court, he would surely achieve great things. His eloquence flows like a rushing torrent, his arguments dissolve doubts and resolve dilemmas, and he is more than a match for any foe. In ancient times, Jia Yi sought to test himself as an envoy to the Xiongnu, and Zhong Jun wished to bind the king of Yue with a silken cord. Such boldness in youth was praised by earlier ages. Recently, Lu Cui and Yan Xiang, also men of rare talent, were promoted to court secretaries. Mi Heng deserves equal honor. If he could soar like a dragon through the celestial highway, spread his wings among the clouds, make his voice heard in the Purple Palace, and cast his radiance like a rainbow, he would illuminate the many talents of our court and enhance the dignity of the four gates. The grand music of Heaven must include wondrous harmonies; the imperial palace must treasure extraordinary gems. Men like Mi Heng are not easily found. The dancers of Ji Chu and Yang A, with their exquisite beauty, are sought by masters of ceremony; the swift steeds Feitu and Yaoniao, with their unmatched speed, are hunted by the best grooms. I, your humble servant, dare not keep this from Your Majesty. Since Your Majesty is cautious in selecting talent and requires proof of ability, I beg you to summon Mi Heng in plain robes for an audience. If he offers nothing worthy of note, let me suffer the punishment for deceiving Your Majesty."
The emperor reviewed the memorial and passed it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao then summoned Mi Heng. After the formal greetings, Cao Cao did not offer him a seat. Mi Heng looked up to Heaven and sighed: "Though Heaven and Earth are vast, there is not a single man here!" Cao Cao said: "I have dozens of men under my command, all heroes of this age. How can you say there is no one?" Mi Heng replied: "I would like to hear of them." Cao Cao said: "Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, and Cheng Yu possess profound wisdom and far-reaching strategy—Xiao He and Chen Ping could not surpass them. Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, and Yue Jin are unmatched in bravery—even Cen Peng and Ma Wu cannot compare. Lü Qian and Man Chong serve as my adjutants; Yu Jin and Xu Huang are my vanguard commanders. Xiahou Dun is a prodigy of the realm, and Cao Zixiao is a general blessed by fortune. How can you say there is no one?" Mi Heng laughed and said: "You are mistaken! I know every one of these men. Xun Yu is fit only for offering condolences at funerals. Xun You is fit only for guarding graves. Cheng Yu is fit only for closing doors and shutting windows. Guo Jia is fit only for reciting poems and reading verses. Zhang Liao is fit only for beating drums and sounding gongs. Xu Chu is fit only for herding cattle and pasturing horses. Yue Jin is fit only for taking statements and reading indictments. Li Dian is fit only for delivering letters and dispatches. Lü Qian is fit only for grinding blades and casting swords. Man Chong is fit only for drinking wine and eating dregs.
Yu Jin is fit only for carrying planks and building walls. Xu Huang is fit only for slaughtering pigs and butchering dogs. Xiahou Dun may be called the 'General of the Whole Body,' and Cao Zixiao may be called the 'Grand Administrator Who Loves Money.' The rest are nothing but clothes racks, rice bags, wine barrels, and meat sacks!" Cao Cao angrily demanded: "What abilities do you possess?" Mi Heng replied: "I understand all of astronomy and geography. I know every teaching of the Three Doctrines and Nine Schools. I can elevate a ruler to the level of Yao or Shun, and I can match the virtue of Confucius or Yan Hui. How can I be discussed in the same breath as common men?" Zhang Liao, who was standing nearby, drew his sword to strike Mi Heng. Cao Cao stopped him and said: "I happen to need a drummer for my court ceremonies. For the morning audiences and festive banquets, let Mi Heng serve in this capacity." Mi Heng did not refuse but accepted and left. Zhang Liao asked: "That man spoke insolently. Why not kill him?" Cao Cao replied: "He has a reputation for talent; his name is known far and wide. If I kill him today, the realm will say I cannot tolerate others. He thinks highly of himself, so I will humiliate him by making him a drummer."
The next day, Cao Cao hosted a grand banquet for his guests in the provincial hall and ordered the drummer to perform. The old attendant said: "A drummer must change into new clothes before playing." Mi Heng entered wearing his old garments. He then struck up the "Three Beats of Yuyang" on the drum. The rhythm was exquisite, with a deep, resonant tone like metal and stone. The guests listened, and none were unmoved—many wept with emotion. The attendants shouted: "Why haven't you changed your clothes?" Mi Heng stripped off his old, tattered garments right there, standing naked before them, his entire body exposed. The guests covered their faces. Mi Heng slowly put on his trousers, his expression unchanged. Cao Cao roared: "In the court hall, how dare you be so rude?" Mi Heng replied: "Deceiving the ruler and betraying the throne—that is what I call rudeness. I am merely revealing the body my parents gave me, to show my pure and spotless form!" Cao Cao demanded: "If you are pure, then who is foul?" Mi Heng answered: "You cannot tell the worthy from the foolish—that is the foulness of your eyes. You do not read the classics—that is the foulness of your mouth. You refuse to accept loyal counsel—that is the foulness of your ears. You are ignorant of past and present—that is the foulness of your body. You cannot tolerate the feudal lords—that is the foulness of your belly. You constantly harbor thoughts of usurpation—that is the foulness of your heart! I am a famous scholar of the realm, yet you make me a drummer. This is like Yang Huo belittling Confucius, or Zang Cang slandering Mencius! You wish to achieve the ambition of a king or hegemon, yet you treat men so lightly?"
Kong Rong was present at the banquet. Fearing Cao Cao would kill Mi Heng, he stepped forward calmly and said: "Mi Heng's crime is like that of a common laborer—not worth troubling an enlightened ruler's dream." Cao Cao pointed at Mi Heng and said: "I am sending you as an envoy to Jing Province. If Liu Biao surrenders, I will make you a high minister." Mi Heng refused to go. Cao Cao ordered three horses prepared and had two men escort Mi Heng by force. He then instructed his civil and military officers to prepare a farewell feast outside the eastern gate. Xun Yu said: "When Mi Heng arrives, do not rise to greet him." Mi Heng came, dismounted, and entered. Everyone remained seated. Mi Heng burst into loud wailing. Xun Yu asked: "Why are you crying?" Mi Heng replied: "Walking among a procession of corpses—how can I not cry?" The others said: "If we are corpses, then you are a headless mad ghost!" Mi Heng retorted: "I am a minister of the Han dynasty, not a member of Cao Cao's faction. How am I headless?" The others wanted to kill him. Xun Yu quickly stopped them and said: "He is no more than a rat or a sparrow—not worth dirtying our blades!" Mi Heng said: "I may be a rat or a sparrow, but I still have human nature. You lot can only be called parasites!" The officials left in fury.
Mi Heng arrived in Jing Province and met with Liu Biao. Though his words praised Liu Biao's virtue, they were laced with mockery. Liu Biao was displeased and sent him to Jiangxia to meet Huang Zu. Someone asked Liu Biao: "Mi Heng insulted you, my lord. Why not kill him?" Liu Biao replied: "Mi Heng repeatedly humiliated Cao Cao, but Cao Cao did not kill him, fearing he would lose public support. So Cao Cao sent him as an envoy to me, hoping I would kill him with my own hands, thus tarnishing my reputation as one who harms the worthy. I am now sending him to Huang Zu, so that Cao Cao will see that I see through his scheme." Everyone praised his wisdom.
At that time, Yuan Shao also sent an envoy. Liu Biao asked his advisors: "Yuan Benchu has sent another envoy, and Cao Mengde has sent Mi Heng here. Which side should I follow?" Han Song, a senior officer, stepped forward and said: "The two titans are locked in stalemate. If you wish to make a move, General, now is the time to strike and defeat one of them. If not, you must choose the better side to follow. Cao Cao is skilled in the use of troops, and many talented men have flocked to him. The momentum of events suggests he will defeat Yuan Shao first, then turn his army toward Jiangdong. I fear you will not be able to withstand him. Better to offer Jing Province to Cao Cao and submit—he will surely treat you generously." Liu Biao said: "Go to Xuchang first and observe the situation. We will decide later." Han Song replied: "The bond between ruler and minister is fixed. I now serve you, General, and I would go through fire and water at your command. But if you are resolved to submit to the Son of Heaven above and to Cao Cao below, then send me. If you remain undecided, and once I reach the capital the emperor grants me an official post, I will become the emperor's minister and will no longer die for you." Liu Biao said: "Go and observe. I have my own plans."
Han Song took leave of Liu Biao and went to Xuchang to see Cao Cao. Cao Cao appointed him Palace Attendant and Grand Administrator of Lingling Commandery. Xun Yu asked: "Han Song came to observe the situation. He has performed no service, yet you have given him a high post. Mi Heng has sent no word, and you have neither asked about him nor sent for him. Why is that?" Cao Cao replied: "Mi Heng insulted me too grievously. I am using Liu Biao's hand to kill him—why should I ask further?" He then sent Han Song back to Jing Province to persuade Liu Biao.
Han Song returned to Liu Biao and praised the virtue of the imperial court, urging Liu Biao to send his son to the capital as a hostage. Liu Biao flew into a rage and shouted: "You have two hearts!" He ordered Han Song executed. Han Song cried out: "You have wronged me, General! I have not wronged you!" Kuai Liang said: "Before he left, he already said this would happen." Liu Biao then pardoned him.
Word came that Huang Zu had executed Mi Heng. Liu Biao asked for the details. The messenger replied: "Huang Zu and Mi Heng were drinking together, and both were drunk. Huang Zu asked Mi Heng: 'What notable men are there in Xuchang?' Mi Heng replied: 'The eldest son is Kong Wenju, and the youngest is Yang Dezu. Apart from these two, there are no men of note.' Huang Zu asked: 'And what of me?' Mi Heng replied: 'You are like a temple god—you receive offerings, but you lack divine power!' Huang Zu flew into a rage and shouted: 'You take me for a clay or wooden idol!' He then ordered Mi Heng beheaded. Mi Heng cursed without ceasing until his death." Liu Biao sighed deeply upon hearing this and ordered Mi Heng buried on Parrot Island. A poet of later times lamented: "Huang Zu's talent was not that of a noble man; Mi Heng, a precious pearl, was shattered on these river shores. Now, passing by Parrot Island, only the heartless green waters flow on."
When Cao Cao learned of Mi Heng's death, he laughed and said: "That pedant's tongue was a sword, but it has cut him down instead!" Seeing that Liu Biao still had not surrendered, Cao Cao considered launching a punitive campaign. Xun Yu advised him: "Yuan Shao is not yet pacified, and Liu Bei is not yet destroyed. To move against the Jiang-Han region now would be like abandoning the heart and belly to tend to the limbs. First destroy Yuan Shao, then destroy Liu Bei, and the Jiang-Han region can be swept clean." Cao Cao accepted this advice.
Meanwhile, Dong Cheng, ever since Liu Bei had left, had been consulting day and night with Prince Fu and the others, but they could devise no plan. In the first year of the Jian'an era, during the New Year's court audience, Dong Cheng saw Cao Cao's arrogance and tyranny grow worse than ever. He was so overcome with grief and indignation that he fell ill. The emperor, learning that the Imperial Uncle had fallen sick, ordered the court physician to attend him. This physician was a man of Luoyang named Ji Tai, styled Ziping, commonly known as Ji Ping—a famous doctor of the time. Ji Ping came to Dong Cheng's residence to administer medicine and treatment, staying day and night. He often saw Dong Cheng sighing deeply, but did not dare to ask why.
On the night of the Lantern Festival, Ji Ping took his leave, but Dong Cheng insisted he stay, and the two drank together. After several rounds, as the night deepened, Dong Cheng felt drowsy and fell asleep in his clothes. Suddenly, a servant announced the arrival of Prince Fu and three others. Dong Cheng went out to receive them. Prince Fu said: "The great matter is accomplished!" Dong Cheng asked: "Tell me how." Prince Fu replied: "Liu Biao has allied with Yuan Shao, raising five hundred thousand troops in ten columns to attack. Ma Teng has allied with Han Sui, raising seven hundred and twenty thousand men from the Western Liang forces to attack from the north. Cao Cao has sent all of Xuchang's troops to meet these threats, leaving the city empty. If we gather the servants of our five households, we can muster over a thousand men. Tonight, during the grand feast celebrating the Lantern Festival, we will surround Cao Cao's residence and burst in to kill him. We must not miss this opportunity!" Dong Cheng was overjoyed and immediately ordered his household slaves to prepare their weapons. He armed himself, took up his spear, and mounted his horse, arranging to meet everyone at the inner gate to advance together. At the second watch of the night, all the troops had assembled. Dong Cheng, sword in hand, strode straight into Cao Cao's residence. He saw Cao Cao feasting in the rear hall and shouted: "Traitor Cao, do not flee!" He swung his sword and struck, and Cao Cao fell to the ground. But in an instant, Dong Cheng awoke—it was all a dream. Yet he was still cursing "Traitor Cao" without stopping.
Ji Ping approached and asked: "Do you intend to harm Lord Cao?" Dong Cheng was terrified and could not answer. Ji Ping said: "Do not panic, Imperial Uncle. Though I am a physician, I have never forgotten Han. I have seen you sighing for days, but I dared not ask. Just now, your words in the dream have revealed the truth. Please do not hide anything from me. If there is any way I can be of use, even if it costs me my nine clans, I will have no regrets!" Dong Cheng covered his face and wept, saying: "I fear only that you are not sincere!" Ji Ping then bit off one of his fingers as an oath. Dong Cheng took out the secret imperial edict from his sash and showed it to Ji Ping, saying: "The reason our plans have failed is that Liu Xuande and Ma Teng have both gone away. We have no strategy left, and this has made me ill with worry." Ji Ping said: "There is no need for you gentlemen to trouble yourselves. The traitor Cao's life is in my hands." Dong Cheng asked how. Ji Ping replied: "Cao Cao often suffers from headaches that pain him to the marrow. Whenever an attack comes, he summons me to treat him. If he calls for me soon, I need only administer a single dose of poison, and he will surely die. Why resort to arms?" Dong Cheng said: "If this can be done, you will be the one to save the altars of Han!" Ji Ping then took his leave and returned home.
Dong Cheng, secretly pleased, went into the rear hall. There he saw his servant Qin Qingtong whispering in the shadows with the maid Yunying. Dong Cheng flew into a rage and ordered the servants seized, intending to kill them. His wife pleaded for their lives, so they were each given forty strokes with the rod, and Qingtong was locked in a cold room. Qingtong nursed a deep grudge. In the dead of night, he broke the iron lock, leaped over the wall, and went straight to Cao Cao's residence, reporting that he had secret information. Cao Cao summoned him into a private chamber and questioned him. Qingtong said: "Prince Fu, Wu Zilan, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo, and Ma Teng were all in my master's residence discussing secret matters—it must be a plot against you, Chancellor. My master brought out a piece of white silk, but I do not know what was written on it. Recently, Ji Ping bit off his finger as an oath—I saw that too." Cao Cao hid Qingtong in his residence. Dong Cheng assumed the servant had fled elsewhere and did not pursue the matter.
The next day, Cao Cao feigned a headache and summoned Ji Ping to administer medicine. Ji Ping thought to himself: "This traitor's time has come!" He concealed poison and entered the residence. Cao Cao lay on his bed and ordered Ji Ping to prepare the medicine. Ji Ping said: "One dose will cure this illness." He ordered a medicine pot brought and decocted the medicine in Cao Cao's presence. When the decoction was half-reduced, Ji Ping secretly added the poison and personally presented it. Cao Cao, knowing the medicine was poisoned, deliberately delayed taking it. Ji Ping urged: "Drink it while it is hot. A light sweat will bring recovery." Cao Cao sat up and said: "Since you have studied the Confucian classics, you must know propriety. When a ruler is ill and takes medicine, his minister tastes it first. When a father is ill and takes medicine, his son tastes it first. You are a trusted man of mine—why not taste it before offering it to me?" Ji Ping replied: "Medicine is for curing illness—why must someone taste it?" Realizing his plot was exposed, Ji Ping lunged forward, grabbed Cao Cao by the ear, and tried to force the medicine down his throat. Cao Cao pushed the medicine away, and it spilled on the floor, cracking the tiles.
Before Cao Cao could speak, his attendants had already seized Ji Ping. Cao Cao said: "I am not ill at all—I was merely testing you! You truly intended to harm me!" He then ordered twenty sturdy jailers to take Ji Ping to the rear garden for interrogation. Cao Cao sat in a pavilion while Ji Ping was bound and thrown to the ground. Ji Ping's expression did not change, and he showed no fear. Cao Cao laughed and said: "You are nothing but a physician. How dare you try to poison me? Someone must have put you up to this. If you tell me who it was, I will spare you." Ji Ping cursed him, saying: "You are a traitor who deceives the ruler and betrays the throne! Everyone under Heaven wants to kill you—why should I be any different?" Cao Cao pressed him again and again. Ji Ping angrily declared: "I wanted to kill you myself. No one sent me! Now that the plot has failed, I am ready to die!" Cao Cao, enraged, ordered the jailers to beat him severely. They beat him for four hours until his skin split and his flesh tore, and blood flowed down the steps. Fearing that Ji Ping would die and leave no witness, Cao Cao ordered the jailers to drag him to a quiet place and let him rest for a while.
Cao Cao then issued orders for a banquet the next day, inviting all the high ministers to drink. Only Dong Cheng pleaded illness and did not come. Prince Fu and the others, fearing Cao Cao's suspicion, had no choice but to attend. Cao Cao set the feast in the rear hall. After several rounds of wine, he said: "There is no entertainment at this feast. I have a man who can sober you up." He ordered the twenty jailers: "Bring him out!" In a moment, a large cangue was brought in, pinning Ji Ping, who was dragged to the foot of the steps. Cao Cao said: "You officials do not know this, but this man has conspired with a gang of traitors to rebel against the court and plot my murder. Today, Heaven has exposed him. Hear his confession." Cao Cao ordered him beaten again until he lost consciousness, then splashed water on his face. Ji Ping revived, opened his eyes, gnashed his teeth, and cursed: "Traitor Cao! If you do not kill me, when will you?" Cao Cao asked: "There were six conspirators before. Are you the seventh?" Ji Ping only continued to curse. Prince Fu and the other three exchanged glances, sitting as if on a bed of needles. Cao Cao ordered them to beat him and splash him with water alternately, but Ji Ping showed no sign of begging for mercy. Seeing that he would not confess, Cao Cao ordered him taken away.
After the guests had departed, Cao Cao kept Prince Fu and the other three for a night banquet. The four were terrified and could only stay. Cao Cao said: "I did not intend to keep you, but I have matters to ask. Do you know what Dong Cheng was plotting?" Prince Fu replied: "We discussed nothing." Cao Cao said: "What was written on the white silk?" Prince Fu and the others tried to conceal the truth. Cao Cao had Qingtong brought out to confront them. Prince Fu asked: "Where did you see this?" Qingtong replied: "You avoided the others, and the six of you gathered together to write something. How can you deny it?" Prince Fu said: "This wretch committed adultery with the Imperial Uncle's concubine and was punished. Now he is falsely accusing his master—you cannot believe him!" Cao Cao said: "Ji Ping's attempt to poison me—who else could have sent him but Dong Cheng?" Prince Fu and the others all claimed ignorance. Cao Cao said: "If you confess tonight, you may still be forgiven. But if the truth comes out later, it will be hard to show mercy!" They all insisted there was no such plot. Cao Cao ordered his attendants to seize the four and throw them in prison.
The next day, Cao Cao led his men directly to Dong Cheng's residence to inquire about his illness. Dong Cheng had no choice but to come out to greet him. Cao Cao asked: "Why did you not attend the banquet last night?" Dong Cheng replied: "I have not recovered from a minor illness. I dared not venture out carelessly." Cao Cao said: "This is an illness born of worrying about the state." Dong Cheng was startled. Cao Cao continued: "Imperial Uncle, do you know about Ji Ping's affair?" Dong Cheng said: "I do not." Cao Cao laughed coldly and said: "How could the Imperial Uncle not know?" He ordered his attendants: "Bring him out to cure the Imperial Uncle's illness." Dong Cheng was at a loss. In a moment, the twenty jailers pushed Ji Ping to the foot of the steps. Ji Ping cursed loudly: "Cao Cao, you traitor!" Cao Cao pointed at him and said to Dong Cheng: "This man has implicated Prince Fu and the other three. I have already sent them to the Imperial Court. There remains one more who has not been caught." He then asked Ji Ping: "Who sent you to poison me? Confess quickly!" Ji Ping replied: "Heaven sent me to kill the traitor!" Cao Cao, enraged, ordered him beaten. There was no place left on his body that could bear another blow. Dong Cheng watched from his seat, his heart feeling as if it were being cut with a knife. Cao Cao asked Ji Ping again: "You originally had ten fingers. Now you have only nine.
Why?" Ji Ping replied: "I bit one off as an oath to kill the traitor of the state!" Cao Cao ordered a knife brought and had Ji Ping's remaining nine fingers cut off on the steps, saying: "Now cut them all off, so you can keep your oath!" Ji Ping replied: "I still have a mouth to swallow the traitor and a tongue to curse him!" Cao Cao ordered his tongue cut out. Ji Ping said: "Do not act yet. I can no longer bear the torture. I will confess. Release my bonds." Cao Cao said: "What harm is there in releasing him?" He ordered the bonds undone. Ji Ping rose, turned toward the palace, and bowed, saying: "I have failed to rid the state of its traitor. This is Heaven's will!" After bowing, he dashed his head against the steps and died. Cao Cao ordered his body dismembered and displayed as a warning. This happened in the first month of the fifth year of Jian'an. A historian recorded a verse: "The Han dynasty had no hope of revival, but there was one named Ping who sought to heal the state. He swore to eliminate the traitorous faction and sacrificed his life to repay the sage emperor. Under extreme torture, his words grew fiercer; in his terrible death, his spirit remained as if alive. His ten fingers, dripping with blood, earned him a name admired for a thousand ages."
Seeing that Ji Ping was dead, Cao Cao ordered his attendants to bring Qin Qingtong before him. Cao Cao asked: "Imperial Uncle, do you recognize this man?" Dong Cheng roared with fury: "This runaway slave is here! He should be executed immediately!" Cao Cao said: "He has come to report a plot against me. Now he is here to bear witness. Who dares to execute him?" Dong Cheng demanded: "Why does the Chancellor believe the word of a runaway slave?" Cao Cao replied: "Prince Fu and the others have already been captured, and they have confessed clearly. Do you still deny it?" He immediately ordered his attendants to seize Dong Cheng and then sent men to search Dong Cheng's bedchamber, where they found the secret imperial edict from the sash and the oath of alliance. Cao Cao looked at them and laughed, saying: "How dare these rats do such a thing!" He then ordered: "Arrest every member of Dong Cheng's household, high and low, and imprison them all. Let not a single one escape." Cao Cao returned to his residence and showed the edict and oath to his advisors, discussing the possibility of deposing Emperor Xian and installing a new ruler. Truly: "A few lines of a vermilion edict became a vain hope; a single sheet of an oath brought disaster." What would become of Emperor Xian? Let the next chapter reveal.