As Cao Cao fled in panic, a force appeared from the south—it was Xiahou Dun arriving with reinforcements, who engaged Lü Bu in a fierce battle. They fought until dusk, when a torrential rainstorm forced both sides to withdraw separately. Returning to his camp, Cao Cao rewarded Dian Wei handsomely, promoting him to Chief Commandant.
Lü Bu returned to his own camp and conferred with Chen Gong. Chen Gong said, "In Puyang city, there is a wealthy clan named Tian, with hundreds of servants—the most powerful family in the entire commandery. We can have them send a secret messenger to Cao Cao's camp with a letter, claiming: 'Lord Lü is cruel and tyrannical; the people harbor deep resentment. He is about to move his army to Liyang, leaving only Gao Shun in the city. You can march in tonight, and I will serve as your inside man.' If Cao Cao takes the bait, we lure him into the city, set fires at all four gates, and ambush him from outside. Even with Cao Cao's genius for strategy and governance, how could he escape?" Lü Bu agreed and secretly instructed the Tian clan to send a man directly to Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao, still brooding over his recent defeat, was hesitating when the Tian family's messenger arrived, presenting a secret letter: "Lü Bu has already left for Liyang. The city is empty. I implore you to come quickly; I will be your inside man. A white flag bearing the character for 'righteousness' will be raised on the wall as the signal." Overjoyed, Cao Cao exclaimed, "Heaven itself delivers Puyang to me!" He lavishly rewarded the messenger and prepared to mobilize his army. Liu Ye cautioned, "Though Lü Bu lacks strategy, Chen Gong is full of schemes. This could be a trap; we must be on guard. If you insist on going, my lord, you should divide the army into three columns: two to lie in ambush outside the city as support, and one to enter. Only then will it be safe." Cao Cao heeded his advice, divided his forces into three, and advanced to the base of Puyang's walls.
Cao Cao first rode out to reconnoiter. Seeing the walls bristling with banners and the white flag with the "righteousness" character at the western corner tower, he secretly rejoiced. At noon, the city gates opened, and two generals led out their troops: Hou Cheng in the vanguard, Gao Shun in the rear. Cao Cao immediately sent Dian Wei forward, who charged straight at Hou Cheng. Unable to withstand the assault, Hou Cheng wheeled his horse and fled back toward the city. Dian Wei pursued him to the drawbridge, where even Gao Shun could not block him; both generals retreated into the city. Amidst the chaos, a soldier slipped through the lines and came before Cao Cao, claiming to be the Tian family's envoy, and presented another secret letter. It read: "At the first watch tonight, listen for the sound of gongs on the wall. That will be your signal to advance. I will open the gates." Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Dun to take the left flank, Cao Hong the right, while he himself led Xiahou Yuan, Li Dian, Yue Jin, and Dian Wei into the city at the head of the main force. Li Dian advised, "My lord, you should remain outside. Allow us to enter first." Cao Cao shouted, "If I do not go myself, who will dare to lead?" So saying, he spurred his horse and charged in.
It was around the first watch, and the moon had not yet risen. Suddenly, the sound of conch shells rang out from the western gate. War cries erupted, torches blazed chaotically on the gate tower, the city gates swung wide open, and the drawbridge was lowered. Cao Cao, racing to be first, galloped straight in. He rode all the way to the provincial governor's mansion without seeing a single person. Realizing it was a trap, Cao Cao hastily reined in his horse and shouted, "Retreat!" At that moment, a cannon shot boomed from the mansion. Flames erupted from all four gates, roaring up to the sky. War drums and gongs thundered, and the clamor of battle surged like a river in flood or a sea in storm. From the eastern lane burst forth Zhang Liao; from the western lane, Zang Ba. They attacked from both sides, cutting down Cao Cao's men. Cao Cao fled toward the north gate, only to have Hao Meng and Cao Xing emerge from the roadside and engage him in another bloody skirmish. Desperately, he turned toward the south gate, where Gao Shun and Hou Cheng blocked his path. Dian Wei, his eyes blazing with fury and teeth clenched, fought his way through. Gao Shun and Hou Cheng were forced back outside the city. Dian Wei fought his way to the drawbridge, but when he turned around, Cao Cao was nowhere to be seen. He wheeled his horse and charged back into the city, crashing into Li Dian at the gate. Dian Wei asked, "Where is our lord?" Li Dian replied, "I cannot find him either." Dian Wei said, "You go outside and summon reinforcements. I will go in and search for him." Li Dian departed. Dian Wei plunged back into the city, searching everywhere but finding no trace. He fought his way back out to the moat and collided with Yue Jin. Yue Jin asked, "Where is our lord?" Dian Wei answered, "I've been in and out twice—I can't find him anywhere." Yue Jin said, "Let's charge back in together to rescue him!" They reached the gate, but burning logs and artillery shells rained down from the walls. Yue Jin's horse could not advance. Dian Wei, braving smoke and flames, charged in once more, searching every corner.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao saw Dian Wei fight his way out, but enemy forces surrounded him from all sides. He could not escape through the south gate. He turned toward the north gate, and in the glare of the flames, he saw Lü Bu charging toward him on his horse, halberd raised. Cao Cao covered his face with his hand, whipped his horse, and dashed past. Lü Bu galloped after him and struck Cao Cao's helmet with his halberd, demanding, "Where is Cao Cao?" Cao Cao pointed behind him and said, "The man on the yellow horse ahead—that is he!" Lü Bu believed him, abandoned Cao Cao, and spurred his horse in pursuit. Cao Cao wheeled his horse around and fled toward the east gate, where he ran straight into Dian Wei. Dian Wei shielded Cao Cao, cutting a bloody path through the enemy. At the city gate, the flames raged fiercely. The defenders pushed bundles of firewood down from the walls, setting the ground ablaze. Dian Wei used his halberd to clear the way and, flying through the smoke and fire, burst out first. Cao Cao followed close behind. Just as he reached the gate passage, a burning beam crashed down from the gate tower, striking his horse's hindquarters. The horse collapsed. Cao Cao used his hands to push the beam aside, burning his arms, beard, and hair in the process. Dian Wei turned back to rescue him, and Xiahou Yuan arrived at the same moment. Together, they helped Cao Cao to his feet and carried him through the flames. Cao Cao mounted Xiahou Yuan's horse, and Dian Wei cut a path for their escape. The chaotic battle raged until dawn before Cao Cao finally returned to his camp.
His generals knelt before him, inquiring after his health. Cao Cao looked up and laughed. "I fell for that knave's trick," he said, "but I will have my revenge!" Guo Jia said, "Then we must devise a plan quickly." Cao Cao replied, "We will use his own scheme against him. Spread the word that I was badly burned and have died of my wounds. Lü Bu will surely come to attack. I will lay an ambush in the Maling Mountains. When his army is halfway across, we will strike, and Lü Bu will be captured." Guo Jia praised, "An excellent strategy!" Cao Cao ordered his troops to don mourning clothes and announce his death. Soon, a report reached Lü Bu in Puyang that Cao Cao had succumbed to his burns. Lü Bu immediately mustered his forces and marched on the Maling Mountains. As he approached Cao Cao's camp, a single drum roll echoed, and ambushers sprang up from all sides. Lü Bu fought desperately to escape, losing many men in the process. He retreated in defeat back to Puyang and fortified his defenses, refusing to come out again.
That year, a plague of locusts descended, devouring all the grain. East of the Pass, a single bushel of grain cost fifty strings of cash, and the people turned to cannibalism. With his army's provisions exhausted, Cao Cao led his forces back to Juancheng to rest. Lü Bu also led his army out to camp at Shanyang to forage for food. For the time being, both sides ceased hostilities.
Now, Tao Qian, the Governor of Xuzhou, was sixty-three years old. He suddenly fell ill, and his condition grew grave. He summoned Mi Zhu and Chen Deng to discuss matters. Mi Zhu said, "Cao Cao's withdrawal was only because Lü Bu attacked his base in Yanzhou. Now that the famine has forced a truce, he will surely return in the spring. You have twice offered to yield Xuzhou to Liu Xuande, but you were still strong and healthy then, so he refused. Now that your illness is critical, this is the perfect time to give it to him. Liu Xuande will not refuse." Tao Qian was overjoyed and sent a messenger to Xiaopei, requesting Liu Bei's presence to discuss military affairs. Liu Bei, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and a few dozen horsemen, came to Xuzhou. Tao Qian invited him into his bedchamber. After Liu Bei had paid his respects and inquired about his health, Tao Qian said, "I have asked you here, Lord Xuande, for no other reason than that my illness is grave and I may not last the day. I implore you, for the sake of the Han dynasty's cities, to accept the seal and insignia of Xuzhou. Then I can die in peace." Liu Bei replied, "You have two sons. Why not pass it to them?" Tao Qian said, "My eldest son, Shang, and my second son, Ying, are both unfit for the task. After I am gone, I hope you will guide them, but do not let them govern the province." Liu Bei said, "How can I, one man alone, bear such a heavy responsibility?" Tao Qian said, "I will recommend a man to assist you. He is from Beihai, named Sun Qian, styled Gongyou. He can serve as your aide." Turning to Mi Zhu, he said, "Lord Liu is a hero of our age. You must serve him well." Liu Bei continued to refuse. Tao Qian, pointing to his heart, breathed his last. After the mourning rites, the officials presented the seal and insignia to Liu Bei. He steadfastly declined. The next day, the people of Xuzhou crowded the gates of the government office, weeping and bowing, saying, "If you, Lord Liu, do not take this commandery, none of us can survive." Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also urged him repeatedly. Finally, Liu Bei agreed to temporarily oversee the affairs of Xuzhou. He appointed Sun Qian and Mi Zhu as his advisors, Chen Deng as a staff officer, and moved all his troops from Xiaopei into the city. He issued proclamations to reassure the people and arranged for Tao Qian's funeral. Liu Bei and all his officers and soldiers donned mourning garments. After a grand sacrificial ceremony, Tao Qian was buried on the plains of the Yellow River. Liu Bei then submitted Tao Qian's final memorial to the imperial court.
When Cao Cao, still in Juancheng, learned that Tao Qian had died and Liu Bei had taken control of Xuzhou, he flew into a rage. "Before I could avenge my father's death," he roared, "that man sits in Xuzhou without spending half an arrow's effort! I will kill Liu Bei first, then dig up Tao Qian's corpse and flay it, to avenge my father's spirit!" He immediately gave orders to march on Xuzhou. Xun Yu came to remonstrate with him. "In ancient times, Emperor Gaozu secured Guanzhong, and Emperor Guangwu held Henei," Xun Yu said. "Both established deep roots to control the realm. When they advanced, they could defeat the enemy; when they retreated, they could hold their ground. Thus, even in times of difficulty, they ultimately achieved great enterprises. You, my lord, began your career in Yanzhou. The Yellow River and the Ji River are the strategic heart of the realm, just as Guanzhong and Henei were in former times. If you now attack Xuzhou, leaving too many troops behind will leave you short-handed, while leaving too few will invite Lü Bu to strike at your undefended rear. You will lose Yanzhou. And if you fail to take Xuzhou, where will you turn? Though Tao Qian is dead, Liu Bei now holds the city. The people of Xuzhou have already accepted him and will fight to the death to defend him. To abandon Yanzhou and attack Xuzhou is to give up what is great for what is small, to forsake the root for the branch, and to exchange safety for danger. I beg you to think carefully." Cao Cao said, "But this year's famine has left us without food. Sitting idle here is no solution." Xun Yu replied, "Better to march east and seize lands in Chen, letting our troops forage in Runan and Yingchuan. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans—He Yi, Huang Shao, and others—are raiding the provinces. They have plenty of gold, silk, and grain, and these bandits are easy to defeat. If we crush them and take their supplies to feed our army, the court will be pleased, the people will rejoice, and we will be acting in accordance with Heaven's will."
Cao Cao was delighted and agreed. He left Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren to guard Juancheng and led his army east to conquer Chen, then marched on Runan and Yingchuan. When the Yellow Scarf leaders He Yi and Huang Shao learned of Cao Cao's approach, they led their forces to meet him at Yang Mountain. Though the bandit army was numerous, they were a motley rabble with no discipline or formation. Cao Cao ordered his archers to pin them down with volleys of arrows and sent Dian Wei forward. He Yi ordered his deputy commander to engage, but within three exchanges, Dian Wei ran him through with his halberd. Cao Cao led his army in a charge, driving the bandits back past Yang Mountain, where he set up camp. The next day, Huang Shao himself led his troops out. When the battle lines were drawn, one of his officers dismounted and strode forward, wearing a yellow turban and a green coat, wielding an iron staff. "I am He Man, the Night-Rending Demon!" he bellowed. "Who dares fight me?" Cao Hong, seeing this, let out a mighty roar, leaped from his horse, drew his blade, and advanced on foot. The two clashed before the ranks, trading blows for forty or fifty exchanges without either gaining the upper hand. Cao Hong feigned defeat and fled, with He Man in hot pursuit. Using the "dragging blade and back-cutting" technique, Cao Hong suddenly spun around and struck He Man down, finishing him with a second blow. Li Dian took the opportunity to charge into the enemy formation. Before Huang Shao could react, Li Dian captured him alive. Cao Cao's troops slaughtered the bandits, seizing countless gold, silk, and grain. Isolated and outnumbered, He Yi fled with a few hundred horsemen toward Gebei. As they were riding along, a force emerged from behind a mountain. At its head was a stalwart man, eight feet tall with a massive girth, wielding a great sword, who blocked their path. He Yi raised his spear and charged, but in a single exchange, the stalwart man grabbed him and carried him off. The remaining bandits, panic-stricken, dismounted and surrendered. The stalwart man herded them all into a fortified village in Gebei.
Meanwhile, Dian Wei pursued He Yi to Gebei and found the stalwart man blocking his way with his troops. Dian Wei asked, "Are you also a Yellow Scarf bandit?" The stalwart man replied, "I have captured several hundred Yellow Scarf horsemen and locked them in my village." Dian Wei said, "Then why not hand them over?" The stalwart man answered, "If you can defeat my blade, I will." Furious, Dian Wei raised his twin halberds and attacked. The two fought from morning until noon without either gaining the upper hand, then took a brief rest. Soon, the stalwart man came out to challenge again, and Dian Wei met him. They battled until dusk, when both sides halted due to their horses' exhaustion. Dian Wei's men reported the news to Cao Cao. Alarmed, Cao Cao rushed to the scene with his generals. The next day, the stalwart man issued another challenge. Seeing his imposing presence, Cao Cao secretly rejoiced. He instructed Dian Wei to feign defeat that day. Dian Wei obeyed. After thirty exchanges, he turned and fled back to his lines. The stalwart man pursued him to the camp gate, where a volley of arrows drove him back. Cao Cao quickly withdrew his army five li and secretly ordered a pit to be dug, with hooks hidden at the bottom. The next day, he sent Dian Wei out again with a hundred horsemen. The stalwart man laughed. "How dare a defeated general return?" He spurred his horse forward to engage. After a few exchanges, Dian Wei wheeled his horse and fled. The stalwart man gave chase without caution, and both he and his horse fell into the pit. The hook-men captured him and brought him before Cao Cao.
Cao Cao descended from his tent, dismissed his guards, personally untied the man, and quickly gave him a robe to wear. He invited him to sit and asked his name and origin. The stalwart man said, "I am from Qiao County in Qiao Commandery. My surname is Xu, given name Chu, styled Zhongkang. In the past, when bandits plagued the land, I gathered several hundred members of my clan, built a fortified village, and defended it. One day, bandits came. I ordered my people to gather stones, and I hurled them with my own hands, hitting every target. The bandits fled. Another day, they came when our village had no food. I made a pact with them: I would trade plow oxen for grain. After the grain was delivered, they drove the oxen to the village gate, but the oxen all turned and ran back. I grabbed two of them by their tails and dragged them backward over a hundred paces. The bandits were terrified and fled, leaving the oxen behind. That is how I have kept this place safe." Cao Cao said, "I have long heard of your fame. Will you submit to me?" Xu Chu replied, "That is my wish." He then led his entire clan of several hundred in surrendering. Cao Cao appointed Xu Chu as a Chief Commandant and bestowed generous rewards. He then executed He Yi and Huang Shao, and the regions of Runan and Yingchuan were pacified.
As Cao Cao marched his army back, Cao Ren and Xiahou Dun came to greet him. They reported that scouts had said Xue Lan and Li Feng, the defenders of Yanzhou, had sent most of their troops out to pillage, leaving the city undefended. A strike with the victorious army could take it in one blow. Cao Cao immediately led his forces toward Yanzhou. Taken by surprise, Xue Lan and Li Feng had no choice but to lead their troops out to meet him. Xu Chu said, "I wish to take these two as my gift of submission." Delighted, Cao Cao ordered him into battle. Li Feng, wielding a halberd, advanced to meet him. After two exchanges, Xu Chu cut Li Feng down from his horse. Xue Lan fled back to the city, but at the drawbridge, Li Dian blocked his path. Xue Lan, not daring to return to the city, led his men toward Juye. But Lü Qian gave chase, shot him from his horse with a single arrow, and his army scattered.
Having recaptured Yanzhou, Cheng Yu urged Cao Cao to press on and take Puyang. Cao Cao ordered Xu Chu and Dian Wei as the vanguard, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan as the left flank, Li Dian and Yue Jin as the right flank, while he himself led the center, with Yu Jin and Lü Qian bringing up the rear. When they reached Puyang, Lü Bu wanted to go out and meet them. Chen Gong advised against it. "Do not give battle," he said. "Wait until all our generals have assembled." Lü Bu replied, "Who am I afraid of?" Ignoring Chen Gong's counsel, he led his troops out, brandishing his halberd and hurling insults. Xu Chu rode out to meet him. After twenty exchanges, neither side had the advantage. Cao Cao said, "Lü Bu cannot be defeated by one man alone." He ordered Dian Wei to join the fray, and the two generals attacked together. Then Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan came from the left, and Li Dian and Yue Jin from the right. Six generals surrounded Lü Bu. Unable to withstand the assault, Lü Bu wheeled his horse and fled back to the city. On the wall, the Tian family saw Lü Bu retreating in defeat and hastily ordered the drawbridge raised. Lü Bu shouted, "Open the gate!" Tian replied, "I have already surrendered to General Cao." Cursing furiously, Lü Bu led his troops toward Dingtao. Chen Gong hurriedly opened the east gate and escorted Lü Bu's family out of the city. Cao Cao thus took Puyang and forgave the Tian family for their earlier treachery. Liu Ye said, "Lü Bu is a fierce tiger.
Now that he is cornered, we must not give him any respite." Cao Cao ordered Liu Ye and others to hold Puyang while he himself led the pursuit to Dingtao. Lü Bu, along with Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao, was holed up in the city. Gao Shun, Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, and Hou Cheng were still out foraging for food. When Cao Cao's army arrived at Dingtao, he did not attack for several days. Instead, he withdrew forty li and made camp. It was the harvest season in Ji Commandery, and Cao Cao ordered his men to cut the wheat for food. Scouts reported this to Lü Bu, who led his troops out to attack. As they neared Cao Cao's camp, they saw a dense forest on the left and, fearing an ambush, turned back. Knowing of Lü Bu's retreat, Cao Cao said to his generals, "Lü Bu suspects there are troops hidden in the woods. We can plant more flags among the trees to reinforce his suspicion. There is a long, dry riverbank west of the camp where we can conceal our best troops. Tomorrow, Lü Bu will surely come to burn the woods. When he does, our troops hidden in the riverbank will cut off his retreat, and Lü Bu will be captured." He left only fifty drummers in the camp to beat the drums and ordered the men and women captured from the villages to shout and make noise. His elite troops were hidden along the riverbank.
Lü Bu reported back to Chen Gong. Chen Gong said, "Cao Cao is full of tricks. Do not underestimate him." Lü Bu replied, "I will use fire to smoke out his ambush." He left Chen Gong and Gao Shun to guard the city. The next day, Lü Bu led his main army out. Seeing the flags in the forest from a distance, he ordered his troops to advance and set fire to the woods on all sides—but there was no one there. He was about to attack the camp when the sound of drums thundered from within. Confused, he hesitated. Suddenly, a force emerged from behind the camp. Lü Bu spurred his horse to pursue. At that moment, a cannon boomed, and the troops hidden along the riverbank sprang forth: Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Chu, Dian Wei, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, all charging at full speed. Realizing he could not win, Lü Bu fled across the countryside. His general Cheng Lian was struck and killed by an arrow from Yue Jin. Two-thirds of Lü Bu's army was lost. The defeated survivors reported to Chen Gong, who said, "We cannot hold an empty city. We must flee quickly." So he and Gao Shun, escorting Lü Bu's family, abandoned Dingtao and fled. Cao Cao's victorious army swept into the city like a knife through bamboo. Zhang Chao committed suicide, and Zhang Miao fled to Yuan Shu. The entire Shandong region fell into Cao Cao's hands. He pacified the people, repaired the cities, and settled the administration.
Meanwhile, Lü Bu, still fleeing, encountered his scattered generals returning. Chen Gong had also found him. Lü Bu said, "Though our army is small, we can still defeat Cao Cao." He rallied his troops once more.
Truly, in the art of war, victory and defeat are but common occurrences; one who regathers his armor may yet turn the tide in ways unknown. Whether Lü Bu would succeed or fail in his renewed attack, the next chapter will reveal.