Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Now Cao Cao raised his sword to kill Zhang Liao, but Xuande seized his arm while Yun Chang knelt before him. Xuande said, "A man of such loyal and upright heart should be kept and employed." Yun Chang said, "I have long known Wen Yuan to be a man of loyalty and righteousness. I pledge my own life to vouch for him." Cao Cao threw aside his sword and laughed, saying, "I too know Wen Zhang to be loyal and righteous. I was merely testing him." He then personally loosened Zhang Liao's bonds, removed his own robe and clothed him with it, and invited him to take the seat of honor. Zhang Liao, moved by this gesture, surrendered. Cao Cao appointed Liao as General of the Gentlemen of the Palace and bestowed upon him the title of Marquis of Guannei, then sent him to persuade Zang Ba to accept pacification. When Zang Ba heard that Lü Bu was dead and Zhang Liao had surrendered, he too led his own troops to surrender. Cao Cao richly rewarded him. Zang Ba then brought Sun Guan, Wu Dun, and Yin Li to surrender, but Chang Xi alone refused to submit. Cao Cao appointed Zang Ba as Chancellor of Langya. Sun Guan and the others were each promoted in office and assigned to guard the coastal regions of Qing and Xu provinces. The women and children of Lü Bu's household were carried back to Xuchang. The army was lavishly feasted, the encampments struck, and the army began its return march.

As they passed through Xuzhou, the people burned incense and blocked the road, begging that the Imperial Inspector Liu be left as their governor. Cao Cao said, "The Imperial Inspector Liu has rendered great service. Let him wait until he has been granted an audience with His Majesty and enfeoffed; he may return afterward." The people kowtowed their thanks. Cao Cao summoned the Chariot and Cavalry General Che Zhou to take temporary charge of Xuzhou. Cao Cao's army returned to Xuchang, where those who had taken part in the campaign were rewarded and enfeoffed. Xuande was lodged in a residence near the Chancellor's mansion.

The following day, Emperor Xian held court. Cao Cao presented a memorial recounting Xuande's military achievements and led Xuande into the Emperor's presence. Xuande, arrayed in court dress, kowtowed at the foot of the steps leading to the imperial dais. The Emperor summoned him to ascend and asked, "Of whom was your ancestor?" Xuande replied, "Your servant is a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, a great-grandson of Emperor Xiaojing, grandson of Liu Xiong, and son of Liu Hong." The Emperor ordered the imperial genealogical records to be brought forth and examined, and commanded the Minister of the Imperial Clan to read aloud:

Emperor Xiaojing had fourteen sons. The seventh was Prince Jing of Zhongshan, Liu Sheng. Sheng produced the Marquis of Luchengting, Liu Zhen. Zhen produced the Marquis of Pei, Liu Ang. Ang produced the Marquis of Zhang, Liu Lu. Lu produced the Marquis of Yishui, Liu Lian. Lian produced the Marquis of Qinyang, Liu Ying. Ying produced the Marquis of Anguo, Liu Jian. Jian produced the Marquis of Guangling, Liu Ai. Ai produced the Marquis of Jiaoshui, Liu Xian. Xian produced the Marquis of Zuyi, Liu Shu. Shu produced the Marquis of Qiyang, Liu Yi. Yi produced the Marquis of Yuanze, Liu Bi. Bi produced the Marquis of Yingchuan, Liu Da. Da produced the Marquis of Fengling, Liu Buyi. Buyi produced the Marquis of Jichuan, Liu Hui. Hui produced the Magistrate of Dongjun, Liu Xiong. Xiong produced Liu Hong. Liu Hong did not serve as an official. Liu Bei is the son of Liu Hong.

The Emperor consulted the genealogical record and found that Xuande was indeed his uncle. The Emperor was greatly pleased and invited Xuande into a side hall to perform the ceremony between uncle and nephew. The Emperor thought to himself, "Cao Cao monopolizes power; the affairs of state are not directed by me. Now that I have found this heroic uncle, I shall have a helper!" He thereupon appointed Xuade as General of the Left and Marquis of Yichengting. A banquet was held in his honor, and after it Xuande thanked the Emperor and left the court. From that day forward, all people called him the Imperial Uncle.

When Cao Cao returned to his residence, Xun Yu and a company of advisors came to see him. "The Son of Heaven has acknowledged Liu Bei as his uncle," they said. "I fear this will not benefit you, my lord." Cao Cao replied, "Since he has been recognized as the Imperial Uncle, I can command him in the name of the Emperor's edict, and he will be even less able to disobey. Moreover, I have kept him here in Xuchang. Though in name he is close to the sovereign, in reality he is within my grasp. Why should I fear? What I do worry about is that Grand Commandant Yang Biao is related by marriage to Yuan Shu. If he should act as an internal ally for the two Yuans, the harm would be no small matter. He must be eliminated at once." He therefore secretly sent men to falsely accuse Yang Biao of colluding with Yuan Shu, then had Yang Biao arrested and thrown into prison, and ordered Man Chong to conduct the interrogation.

At this time, the Grand Administrator of Beihai, Kong Rong, was in Xuchang and remonstrated with Cao Cao, saying, "Lord Yang has been distinguished by four generations of pure virtue. How can he be punished on account of the Yuan family?" Cao Cao replied, "This is the will of the court." Kong Rong said, "If King Cheng had killed the Duke of Shao, could the Duke of Zhou claim to have known nothing of it?" Cao Cao had no choice but to strip Yang Biao of his office and release him to return to his estate. The Gentleman Consultant Zhao Yan, indignant at Cao Cao's tyranny, submitted a memorial impeaching Cao Cao for failing to carry out the Emperor's will and for arbitrarily arresting a high official. Cao Cao was furious and immediately had Zhao Yan seized and executed. From that moment, all the officials were filled with terror.

The advisor Cheng Yu said to Cao Cao, "Your prestige and fame grow greater by the day. Why not use this moment to carry out the deeds of a true king or overlord?" Cao Cao replied, "There are still many pillars of the court. I cannot act rashly. I shall request the Son of Heaven to go on a hunting expedition, so that I may observe the reactions."

He therefore selected fine horses, famous falcons, and swift hounds, and readied bows and arrows. He first assembled the troops outside the city, then entered the palace to request that the Emperor go hunting. The Emperor said, "Hunting hardly seems a proper pursuit." Cao Cao said, "The ancient emperors held hunts in spring, summer, autumn, and winter—going out to the suburbs in all four seasons to display their martial might to the realm. Now, in this time of turmoil across the land, it is fitting to use a hunt to practice military arts." The Emperor dared not refuse. He mounted his Easy Roaming horse, took up his jeweled carved bow and golden-headed arrows, and proceeded with his imperial escort out of the city. Xuande, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei each strung their bows and fitted their arrows, wore armor beneath their clothing, and carried their weapons, leading several dozen riders to accompany the Emperor out of Xuchang. Cao Cao rode his Clawed Yellow Lightning horse and led a hundred thousand troops, hunting with the Son of Heaven at Xutian. The soldiers spread out to form an encirclement over two hundred li in circumference. Cao Cao rode side by side with the Emperor, their horses' heads almost level. Behind them all were Cao Cao's trusted officers and commanders. The civil and military officials followed at a great distance; none dared approach.

That day, Emperor Xian rode to Xutian. Liu Xuande stood by the roadside. The Emperor said, "I wish now to see my Imperial Uncle hunt." Xuande received the command and mounted his horse. Suddenly a rabbit was flushed from the grass. Xuande shot at it and struck it cleanly with one arrow. The Emperor applauded. Turning around an earthen slope, a large deer burst from a thicket of brambles. The Emperor shot three arrows and missed all three. He turned to Cao Cao and said, "You shoot it." Cao Cao asked for the Emperor's jeweled carved bow and golden-headed arrows, drew the bow to its full, and loosed. The arrow struck the deer squarely in the back, and it fell dead in the grass. The officers and soldiers, seeing the golden-headed arrows, assumed the Emperor had made the kill and rushed forward, shouting "Ten thousand years!" toward the Emperor. Cao Cao spurred his horse forward and positioned himself directly before the Emperor to receive their acclamation. All present turned pale with shock.

Behind Xuande, Yun Chang flew into a rage. He raised his silkworm-shaped brows, opened his almond eyes, drew his sabre, and spurred his horse forward, intent on slaying Cao Cao. Xuande saw this and hastily waved his hand and gestured with his eyes. Seeing his elder brother thus, Guan Yu dared not act. Xuande then leaned forward and congratulated Cao Cao, saying, "Your Excellency's archery is unparalleled in the world!" Cao Cao laughed and replied, "It is the great fortune of the Son of Heaven." He then turned his horse and offered his congratulations to the Emperor, but he did not return the precious carved bow. Instead, he kept it and wore it himself.

The hunt was concluded, and a feast was held at Xutian. When the feast ended, the imperial carriage returned to Xudu. The various officials retired to their own quarters. Guan Yu asked Xuande, "The traitor Cao insults the sovereign and deceives the throne. I wished to kill him and rid the nation of this scourge. Why did you stop me?" Xuande replied, "A man who would kill a rat must have regard for the vase. Cao Cao sits but a horse's head from the Emperor. His trusted followers surround them on every side. If you, my brother, had acted on a moment's impulse and rashly made a move, had the attempt failed and the Emperor been harmed, the blame would have fallen upon us." Guan Yu said, "If we do not kill this traitor today, he will certainly bring disaster later." Xuande replied, "For now, keep this matter secret. Do not speak of it lightly."

Let us now return to the Emperor, who, upon returning to his palace, wept and said to Empress Fu, "Since I ascended the throne, tyrants have risen one after another. First I suffered the calamity of Dong Zhuo, then the chaos of Li Jue and Guo Si. Ordinals have never endured the hardships that you and I have borne. Then we obtained Cao Cao, whom I regarded as a pillar of the state. I did not expect him to monopolize the government, seize power, and act as he pleases. Every time I see him, my back prickles as if pierced by thorns. Today at the hunting field, he came forward to receive the cheers and congratulations—his insolence has reached the extreme! Sooner or later he will make a move, and I know not where my consort and I shall meet our deaths!" Empress Fu said, "All the ministers of the court receive the salary of the Han dynasty. Is there not a single one who can rescue the nation from this calamity?"

Before she had finished speaking, a man suddenly entered from without and said, "Let Your Majesty and the Empress grieve no more. I can name a man who can rid the state of this scourge." The Emperor looked and saw it was Empress Fu's father, Fu Wan. The Emperor wiped away his tears and asked, "Does Your Excellency also know of the arrogance of the traitor Cao?" Fu Wan replied, "Who has not seen what happened at Xutian when the deer was shot? But in the entire court, those who are not Cao Cao's kinsmen are his retainers. If one is not a relative of the imperial house, who would be willing to loyally fight the traitor? Your old minister has no power and cannot carry out such a matter. The General of Chariot and Cavalry and Imperial Uncle Dong Cheng can be entrusted with this." The Emperor said, "I have long known that Imperial Uncle Dong has often answered the call of national peril. Summon him into the inner chambers so that we may deliberate on this great matter together." Fu Wan said, "Your Majesty's attendants are all trusted followers of the traitor Cao. Should the matter leak, the calamity would be dire." The Emperor said, "Then what shall we do?" Fu Wan said, "Your servant has a plan. Your Majesty should make a robe and take a jade belt, and secretly bestow them upon Dong Cheng. Sew a secret edict into the inner lining of the belt and give it to him with the belt. When he returns home and sees the edict, he may devise his strategy day and night, and neither gods nor ghosts will be the wiser."

The Emperor approved this plan, and Fu Wan took his leave. The Emperor then wrote a secret edict with his own hand, biting through his fingertip and writing in blood. He secretly ordered Empress Fu to sew it into the purple silk lining of the jade belt. He then put on the brocade robe himself, fastened the belt himself, and ordered the Palace Library officials to summon Dong Cheng. Dong Cheng arrived and paid his respects to the Emperor. The Emperor said, "Last night I spoke with the Empress of the hardships at the Ba River. I recalled the great merits of my Imperial Uncle, and therefore summoned you specially to offer my gratitude." Dong Cheng bowed to the ground in thanks. The Emperor led Dong Cheng out of the hall, to the Ancestral Temple, and then up into the Pavilion of Meritorious Officials. The Emperor burned incense and performed the rites, then led Dong Cheng to view the portraits. In the center was a portrait of Emperor Gaozu of Han. The Emperor said, "From what place did our Gaozu rise? How did he found his enterprise?" Dong Cheng was greatly startled and said, "Your Majesty is jesting with your minister. How could I not know the deeds of the sacred ancestor? The Great Emperor rose from the head of the Sishang Ting, raised a three-foot sword, and rose up at the slaying of the serpent. He swept across the four seas, destroyed Qin in three years, and vanquished Chu in five. Thus he possessed the realm and established the foundation of ten thousand generations." The Emperor said, "If our ancestors were such heroes, and their descendants are so weak, is this not lamentable?" He then pointed to the portraits of the two assistants on either side and said, "Are these not the Marquis of Liu, Zhang Liang, and the Marquis of Zeng, Xiao He?" Dong Cheng said, "Indeed they are. When Gaozu founded the empire and established his enterprise, he truly relied upon the strength of these two men." The Emperor looked around and seeing that his attendants were some distance away, spoke secretly to Dong Cheng: "You too should stand beside me as these two men did." Dong Cheng said, "Your minister has no merit whatsoever. How could I be worthy of such a comparison?" The Emperor said, "I recall your merit in saving my person at Xijing and have never forgotten it. I have nothing to give you as a reward." He then pointed to the robe and belt he was wearing: "You should wear this robe of mine and fasten this belt of mine, as if you were always at my side." Dong Cheng bowed to the ground in thanks. The Emperor unfastened the robe and belt and bestowed them upon Dong Cheng, speaking secretly: "When you return home, examine them carefully. Do not betray my intentions."

Dong Cheng understood the hint. He put on the robe and fastened his sash, then took his leave of the emperor and descended from the tower. Someone soon reported to Cao Cao: "His Majesty has ascended the Tower of Meritorious Officials with Dong Cheng and is speaking with him there." Cao Cao at once went to court to observe. As Dong Cheng came out of the tower and was passing through the palace gate, he ran straight into Cao Cao. There was nowhere to hide, so he could only stand by the side of the road and bow. Cao Cao asked, "Where has the Imperial Uncle come from?" Dong Cheng replied, "I was just summoned by the Son of Heaven, who bestowed upon me a brocade robe and a jade-studded sash." Cao Cao asked, "Why was this bestowed?" Dong Cheng said, "Because he recalled my former merit in saving the imperial carriage at the Western Capital, he granted this gift." Cao Cao said, "Unfasten the sash and let me see it." Dong Cheng knew there must be a secret edict hidden in the sash. Fearing Cao Cao would discover it, he hesitated and did not unfasten it. Cao Cao barked at his attendants, "Quickly unfasten it!" After examining it for some time, he smiled and said, "Truly a fine jade sash! Now take off the brocade robe as well and let me borrow it to look at." Dong Cheng's heart was filled with fear, and he dared not refuse. He took off the robe and offered it up. Cao Cao personally lifted it with his hand and examined it carefully against the light. When he finished, he put it on himself, fastened the jade sash, turned to his attendants, and asked, "How is the length?" The attendants praised it. Cao Cao said to Dong Cheng, "What if the Imperial Uncle were to pass this robe and sash on to me?" Dong Cheng replied, "It was granted by the imperial favor; I dare not give it to another. Allow me to have another made and present it to you." Cao Cao said, "The Imperial Uncle received this robe and sash—could there be some scheme within them?" Dong Cheng said in alarm, "How would I dare? If the Chancellor wants it, I shall leave it with you." Cao Cao said, "You received it from the sovereign—how could I take it from you? I was merely jesting." He then took off the robe and sash and returned them to Dong Cheng.

Dong Cheng took his leave of Cao Cao and returned home. Late that night, he sat alone in his study and examined the robe carefully, turning it inside out and outside in, but found nothing. Dong Cheng thought to himself: "The Son of Heaven bestowed this robe and sash upon me and instructed me to examine them closely—surely this was not without purpose. But now I can find no trace of anything. Why?" He then took up the jade sash to inspect it. It was made of pure white jade, exquisitely carved with small dragons amid flowers, lined with purple silk on the back, neatly sewn and finished—and again he found nothing. Doubt filled his heart. He laid it on the table and searched it over and over. A long time passed, and he grew very weary. Just as he was about to doze off resting on the desk, suddenly a snuff from the lamp fell onto the sash and burned through the back lining. Dong Cheng hastily rubbed it out, but a hole had already been burned, revealing a scrap of white silk beneath, with faint traces of blood visible. He quickly took a knife and tore it open to look inside—it was a secret edict written in the emperor's own blood. The edict read:

"I have heard that among the great bonds of human relations, father and son come first; and in the distinction between high and low, sovereign and subject are of greatest weight. In recent days, the rebel Cao has seized power and oppressed his sovereign; he has formed cliques and factions, corrupting the court; his orders of reward and punishment no longer proceed from me. I lie awake night and day in anxious thought, fearing that the empire is in peril. You are a great minister of the state and my closest kinsman. Remembering the hardship with which the Founder, Emperor Gao, established his enterprise, gather together loyal and righteous men of complete devotion, destroy the faction of traitors, and restore peace to the altars of soil and grain—then my ancestors will be most fortunate! I have pricked my finger, shed my blood, and written this edict to entrust to you. Take the utmost care, and do not fail my wishes! Edict of the third month, spring, in the fourth year of the Jian'an era."

When Dong Cheng finished reading, tears streamed down his face, and he could not sleep the whole night through. Rising at dawn, he went again to his study and read the edict over and over, but could think of no plan. He laid the edict on the desk and pondered how to destroy Cao Cao. Still unable to decide, he dozed off leaning on the desk. Then Vice Director Wang Zifu arrived. The gate attendant knew that Wang Zifu and Dong Cheng were close friends and did not dare stop him, so he entered the study directly. He saw Dong Cheng slumped over asleep, with a scrap of white silk pressing down beneath his sleeve, the character "朕" (I, the emperor) faintly visible. Zifu suspected something. He quietly took it out, read it to the end, hid it in his sleeve, and called to Dong Cheng: "What a carefree life the Imperial Uncle leads! How can you sleep so soundly?"

Dong Cheng started awake. Not seeing the edict, he was beside himself with panic, his hands and feet in turmoil. Zifu said: "You want to kill Lord Cao! I shall report you." Dong Cheng wept and pleaded: "If you do this, the House of Han is finished!" Zifu said: "I was only jesting. My ancestors for generations have eaten the salary of Han—how could they lack loyalty? I am willing to lend you a hand to destroy this traitor together." Dong Cheng said: "If you have such a resolve, it is the greatest fortune for the state." Zifu said: "We should go to a private chamber together and establish a sworn pact, each staking our three clans, to repay the sovereign of Han." Dong Cheng was overjoyed. He took out a piece of white silk and was the first to write his name and affix his seal. Zifu then also wrote his name and affixed his seal. When this was done, Zifu said: "General Wu Zilan is my closest friend—we can bring him into our plans." Dong Cheng said: "Among all the ministers of court, only Colonel of the Changshui Regiment, Zhong Ji, and Gentleman Consultant, Wu Shuo, are my trusted confidants—they will surely join us in this cause."

While they were deliberating, a servant came to report that Zhong Ji and Wu Shuo had come to visit. Dong Cheng said: "Heaven is aiding me!" He told Zifu to hide behind the screen for the time being. Dong Cheng received the two men into the study. They sat, and tea was served. Zhong Ji said: "The incident at the hunt at Xutian—do you also harbor resentment about it?" Dong Cheng said: "Though I resent it, there is nothing to be done." Wu Shuo said: "I have sworn to kill this traitor—I only regret having no one to help me!" Zhong Ji said: "To rid the state of a scourge, I would die without regret." Wang Zifu emerged from behind the screen and said: "You two want to kill the Chancellor! I shall report you, and the Imperial Uncle will serve as witness." Zhong Ji said angrily: "A loyal minister does not fear death. We shall die as ghosts of Han—better than you, who fawn upon the traitor of the state!" Dong Cheng smiled and said: "We were just on this very matter that we wished to see you two. Vice Director Wang was only jesting." He then took the edict from his sleeve and showed it to the two men. As they read the edict, they could not stop their tears. Dong Cheng then asked them to sign their names. Zifu said: "Wait here a moment, gentlemen—I shall go and invite Wu Zilan to join us."

Before long, Zifu returned with Zilan. They met with the group and added their names to the document. Cheng invited them to a gathering in the inner chamber. Suddenly it was reported that Ma Teng, Grand Administrator of Xiliang, had come to pay a visit. Cheng said, "Simply tell him I am ill and cannot receive him." The gate attendant returned with this reply. Ma Teng was furious. "I saw him myself last night outside the East Gate of Flowering Glory, emerging in brocade robes and a jade belt—why does he claim to be ill? I did not come here for no reason. How dare he refuse me!" The gate attendant went back in and reported all of Ma Teng's anger. Cheng rose and said, "My lords, please wait a moment. I shall go out briefly." He then proceeded to the hall to receive Ma Teng. After the formalities were concluded and they were seated, Ma Teng said, "I am about to leave the capital after my audience with the Emperor, and came to bid my farewells. Why was I refused?" Cheng replied, "This unworthy body has been struck by a sudden illness. I failed to greet you properly—my offense is grave." Ma Teng said, "Your face is full of spring color; I see no sign of illness."

Cheng had no words to answer. Ma Teng brushed his sleeves and rose with a sigh as he descended the steps. "None of you are men who can save the kingdom!" Cheng was moved by his words and detained him, asking, "Who do you say cannot save the kingdom?" Ma Teng said, "The incident at the hunt at Xutian still fills my chest with indignation. You are the Emperor's closest kin by marriage, yet you drown yourself in wine and women and give no thought to punishing the traitor. How can you be the man to rescue the royal house from calamity?" Cheng, fearing a trick, feigned shock and said, "Prime Minister Cao is a great minister of the state, one upon whom the court relies. Why do you speak such words?" Ma Teng said angrily, "Do you still take the Cao villain to be a good man?" Cheng said, "Ears and eyes are close at hand. Please lower your voice." Ma Tong said, "A man who covets life and fears death is not worth discussing great matters with!" So saying, he again made to rise.

Cheng, knowing Ma Teng to be loyal and righteous, said, "Please calm your anger. I will show you something." He then led Ma Teng into the study and showed him the edict.

When Ma Teng finished reading, his hair stood on end, he ground his teeth and bit his lip until blood filled his mouth. He said to Cheng, "If you take action, I will command the Xiliang troops as an outside ally." Cheng asked Ma Teng to meet the others. He produced the sworn oath and had Ma Teng add his name. Ma Teng then took wine and smeared his lips with blood to seal the covenant. "We swear to the death that we shall not betray this agreement!" He pointed to the five men seated there and said, "If we can find ten men, our great cause will succeed." Cheng said, "Men of loyalty and righteousness cannot be found easily. If we choose the wrong ones, they will bring ruin instead." Ma Teng ordered the registry of surnames be brought for examination. When they reached the Liu clan lineage, he clapped his hands and said, "Why not consult with this man?" Everyone asked who he was. Ma Teng, unhurried and composed, named the man. And so it was:

The imperial kinsman had received the bright edict,

And now a scion of the royal house would aid the Han.

As to what Ma Teng said, hear it told in the chapter that follows.