Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Now after Yuan Shang had slain Shi Huan, he became overconfident in his own prowess. Without waiting for Yuan Tan's forces to arrive, he led several tens of thousands of men out from Liyang and met the vanguard of the Cao army. Zhang Liao rode out ahead of his troops, and Yuan Shang leveled his lance to engage him. In fewer than three exchanges, Yuan Shang could no longer parry or block, and he fled in utter defeat. Zhang Liao pressed the advantage and cut down his men. Yuan Shang could not rally his troops and hastily led them back to Jizhou. When Yuan Shao heard that Yuan Shang had returned in defeat, he was seized with alarm, his old illness returned, and he vomited several dou of blood before collapsing to the ground. Lady Liu hurriedly had him carried into his bedchamber, where his condition grew ever more critical. Lady Liu summoned Shen Pei and Feng Ji at once and brought them to Yuan Shao's bedside to discuss the succession. Yuan Shao could only move his fingers and could not speak. Lady Liu asked, "May Shang be established as heir?" Yuan Shao nodded. Shen Pei thereupon wrote out the testament at the bedside. Yuan Shao turned over with a great cry and vomited more than a dou of blood, and died. A later poet composed this verse:

For generations a noble house had built its great renown,

In youth he let his proud ambitions run free.

In vain he gathered three thousand worthy guests,

In vain he boasted of a million valiant troops.

A sheep in tiger's hide—his merit came to naught,

A phoenix feather on a chicken heart—his deeds could never be accomplished.

Most pitiful of all the grief that wracked his house,

Family strife that brought only ruin upon his two sons.

After Yuan Shao died, Shen Pei and the others took charge of the funeral arrangements. Lady Liu had the five favorite concubines whom Yuan Shao had dearly loved put to death. Fearing that their spirits might meet him again in the world below, she shaved their hair, scarred their faces, and mutilated their corpses—such was her jealous cruelty. Yuan Shang, fearing harm from the families of these concubines, seized and killed them as well. Shen Pei and Feng Ji installed Yuan Shang as Grand Marshal and General, with governorship over the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing, and sent envoys to announce the death.

At this time Yuan Tan had already set out from Qingzhou with his army. Upon learning of his father's death, he took counsel with Guo Tu and Xin Ping. Guo Tu said, "Our lord is not in Jizhou, so Shen Pei and Feng Ji will certainly have installed Xianfu as ruler. We must act quickly." Xin Ping said, "Shen and Feng will have already laid their plans. If we hasten there now, we shall surely fall into their trap." Yuan Tan asked, "Then what should we do?" Guo Tu said, "You can encamp outside the city and observe their movements. I shall go in person to investigate."

Yuan Tan followed this advice. Guo Tu entered Jizhou and had an audience with Yuan Shang. After the formal courtesies, Shang asked, "Why has my elder brother not come?" Guo Tu replied, "He is ill in his camp and cannot come to see you." Shang said, "I received our father's dying command and was established as ruler. I have appointed my brother as General of Chariots and Cavalry. At present Cao's army presses upon our borders. I ask my brother to serve as the vanguard, and I shall follow with reinforcements shortly." Guo Tu said, "There is no one in the army with whom to devise sound strategy. I beg you to send Shen Zhengnan and Feng Yuanfu to assist us." Shang said, "I myself rely on these two men for counsel morning and evening. How can I do without them?" Guo Tu said, "Then might you send one of them?" Yuan Shang had no choice and ordered the two men to draw lots; whoever drew the marked one would go. Feng Ji drew it. Yuan Shang then commanded Feng Ji to take the seals of office and accompany Guo Tu to Yuan Tan's camp. Feng Ji followed Guo Tu to Yuan Tan's army. When he saw that Tan was not ill, he grew uneasy and presented the seals. Yuan Tan flew into a rage and wished to execute Feng Ji. Guo Tu secretly admonished him, "Cao's army now presses upon us. For the time being, keep Feng Ji here to reassure Shang's mind. After we have defeated Cao, there will be ample time to contend for Jizhou."

Yuan Tan accepted this counsel. He immediately broke camp and advanced to Liyang, where he met Cao's forces. Tan sent his general Wang Zhao to engage the enemy, and Cao Cao dispatched Xu Huang to meet him. After only a few exchanges, Xu Huang severed Wang Zhao from his horse with a single stroke of his blade. Cao's army pressed the attack, and Tan's forces were routed. Tan gathered the remnants of his army into Liyang and sent to Shang for aid. Shen Pei and Yuan Shang deliberated and sent only some five thousand men to assist. Cao Cao, learning that reinforcements had arrived, sent Yue Jin and Li Dian with troops to intercept them midway, surrounding them from both sides and slaying them all. When Yuan Shang learned that Shang had sent only five thousand men and that they had been annihilated on the road, he was furious and summoned Feng Ji to upbraid him. Feng Ji said, "Allow me to write a letter to our lord and beg him to come in person to our rescue." Yuan Tan at once ordered Feng Ji to write the letter and sent a messenger to Jizhou with it. Yuan Shang and Shen Pei deliberated together. Shen Pei said, "Guo Tu is full of schemes. The last time he did not press his claim and left, it was because Cao's army was at our borders. Now if Cao is defeated, he will certainly come to contest Jizhou. We had better not send aid and let Cao's strength be used to eliminate him."

Yuan Shang followed this advice and refused to send troops. When the messenger returned with this reply, Yuan Tan was enraged. He immediately executed Feng Ji and began to discuss surrendering to Cao Cao. A spy quickly reported this to Yuan Shang. Shang consulted Shen Pei: "If Tan surrenders to Cao and they combine their forces to attack us, Jizhou will be in peril." He therefore left Shen Pei and the general Su You to defend Jizhou, while he himself led the great army to Liyang to rescue Tan. Shang asked who among his officers would serve as vanguard. The brothers Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang volunteered. Shang assigned them thirty thousand troops as the vanguard and sent them ahead to Liyang. When Tan heard that Shang had come in person, he was overjoyed and abandoned the plan to surrender. Tan encamped within the city while Shang encamped outside, forming a pincer formation.

Before many days had passed, Yuan Xi and Gao Gan both arrived with their armies and encamped outside the city. With three camps in position, they engaged Cao Cao's forces daily. Shang suffered repeated defeats while Cao's troops won repeated victories. By the third month of spring in the eighth year of Jian'an, Cao Cao attacked on multiple routes, and Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and Gao Gan were all crushingly defeated and abandoned Liyang. Cao Cao pressed his army all the way to Jizhou. Tan and Shang entered the city to defend it, while Xi and Gan made camp thirty li from the city to create a show of strength. Cao's army attacked day after day but could not take the city.

Guo Jia came forward and said: "The Yuan clan set aside the elder son and established the younger. Among the brothers, power is contested and each has built his own faction. Press them urgently and they will aid each other; relax the pressure and they will turn upon one another. It would be better to march south toward Jingzhou and campaign against Liu Biao, waiting for a change to come among the Yuan brothers. Once the change has occurred, strike, and the whole matter can be settled at a single stroke."

Cao Cao approved of Jia Xu's words and appointed him as Grand Administrator to defend Liyang. Cao Hong was ordered to lead troops to hold Guandu. Then Cao Cao led his main army toward Jing Province. When Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang heard that the Cao army had withdrawn, they congratulated each other. Yuan Xi and Gao Gan each took their leave. Yuan Tan discussed the matter with Guo Tu and Xin Ping, saying, "I am the eldest son, yet I cannot inherit my father's legacy. Yuan Shang was born of a concubine's wife, yet he has received the great title. I am deeply dissatisfied in my heart." Guo Tu said, "My lord, you may deploy your forces outside the city and merely invite Yuan Xianfu and Shen Pei to a feast of wine, then set armed men with swords and axes to kill them. The great matter will be settled." Yuan Tan followed this counsel. As it happened, Chief Clerk Wang Xiu arrived from Qing Province, and Yuan Tan told him of this plan. Wang Xiu said, "Brothers are like the left and right hands. Now if you fight with others and cut off your own hand, yet say I shall surely prevail, how can that be? To abandon your brother and keep him at a distance—who in the world then will be close to you? Those slanderers seek to sever flesh and bone for the sake of a single day's gain. I beg you to stop your ears and not listen."

Yuan Tan flew into a rage and drove Wang Xiu away with a shout. He then sent men to invite Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang consulted Shen Pei. Shen Pei said, "This must be Guo Tu's scheme. If you go, you will certainly fall into their treachery. Better to seize the advantage and attack him." Yuan Shang followed these words, donned his armor, mounted his horse, and led fifty thousand troops out of the city. When Yuan Tan saw Yuan Shang leading his army forth, he knew the plot had been revealed. He too put on his armor, mounted his horse, and engaged Yuan Shang in battle. Yuan Shang confronted Tan and cursed him loudly. Yuan Tan cursed in return, saying, "You poisoned our father, seized his title by usurpation, and now you come to murder your elder brother as well!" The two fought in person. Yuan Tan was utterly defeated. Yuan Shang braved the arrows and stones, charging and slaughtering. Tan led his beaten troops to Pingyuan. Yuan Shang gathered his forces and withdrew. Yuan Tan and Guo Tan discussed advancing again and appointed Cen Bi as general to lead troops forward. Yuan Shang himself led an army out of Ji Province.

The two armies faced each other, their banners and drums visible across the field. Cen Bi rode out to hurl curses at the enemy. Yuan Shang wished to fight in person. But General Lü Kuang spurred his horse forward, brandished his saber, and rode to engage Cen Bi. The two generals fought several bouts, and Lü Kuang cut Cen Bi down from his horse. Tan's troops were defeated again and fled once more to Pingyuan. Shen Pei urged Yuan Shang to advance and pursue them to Pingyuan. Yuan Tan could not hold them off; he retreated into Pingyuan and defended it firmly, refusing to come out. Yuan Shang besieged the city and attacked from three sides. Yuan Tan conferred with Guo Tu. Guo Tu said, "Now the city is short of grain, and the enemy army is at the height of its vigor—the situation is beyond our strength. In my humble opinion, you should send someone to surrender to Cao Cao and have him lead troops to attack Ji Province. Yuan Shang will certainly return to relieve it. Then you, General, can lead your forces to strike from both sides, and Yuan Shang can be captured. If Cao Cao defeats Yuan Shang's army, we can then gather his military stores to resist Cao Cao himself. Cao Cao's army has come from far away and its grain supplies will not hold. He will certainly withdraw of his own accord. We can then still occupy Ji Province and plan further advances."

Yuan Tan followed this counsel and asked, "Who can serve as envoy?" Guo Tu said, "Xin Ping's younger brother Xin Pi, styled Zhizhi, is currently Prefect of Pingyuan. This man is a capable speaker—he can be sent as envoy." Yuan Tan summoned Xin Pi, who came with willing haste. Yuan Tan drafted a letter and gave it to Xin Pi, sending three thousand troops to escort him across the border. Xin Pi traveled by night with the letter to see Cao Cao. At that time Cao Cao was camped at Xiying, attacking Liu Bei. Liu Bei had sent Xuan De to lead the vanguard to meet him. Before they could engage, Xin Pi arrived at Cao Cao's camp. After the formal courtesies, Cao Cao asked the purpose of his visit. Xin Pi explained in full Yuan Tan's desire for assistance and presented the letter.

After Cao Cao finished reading the letter, he kept Xin Pi in his camp and gathered his civil and military officers to deliberate. Cheng Yu said, "Yuan Tan has been attacked so fiercely by Yuan Shang that he has no choice but to surrender. This cannot be trusted." Lü Qian and Man Chong also said, "Since Your Excellency has led your army this far, how can you turn away from Liu Bei to help Yuan Tan?" Xun You said, "The three gentlemen's words are not sound. In my humble judgment: the world is in turmoil, yet Liu Bei sits content between the Yangtze and the Han, daring not to expand—it is clear he has no ambitions in any direction. The Yuan family holds four provinces and commands several hundred thousand armored troops. If the two sons were at peace and jointly guarded what their father built, the fate of the world would be uncertain. Now the brothers attack each other and, their strength exhausted, turn to us. If we lead our forces to eliminate Yuan Shang first, then watch for developments and destroy Yuan Tan as well, the world will be settled. This opportunity must not be lost."

Cao Cao was greatly pleased. He invited Xin Pi to drink wine and said to him, "Is Yuan Tan's surrender genuine or a ruse? Can Yuan Shang's forces certainly be defeated?" Xin Pi replied, "I ask Your Excellency not to question whether it is genuine or false—only consider whether the situation is advantageous. The Yuan family has suffered defeat year after year. Their soldiers are exhausted abroad, their counselors slain within. The brothers are divided by slander, and their state is split in two. Add to this famine upon famine, heaven's disasters and human suffering—whether wise or foolish, all know they are crumbling like earth and collapsing like a wall. This is the time when Heaven destroys the Yuan family. Now if Your Excellency leads your troops to attack Ye, if Yuan Shang does not return to relieve it, he loses his nest; if he returns to relieve it, then Yuan Tan will strike at his rear. With Your Excellency's might, attacking an exhausted multitude, it will be like a swift wind sweeping away autumn leaves. To abandon this plan and attack Jing Province instead—Jing Province is a prosperous and peaceful land, its state harmonious and its people content; it cannot be shaken. Moreover, of all the troubles on every side, none is greater than the region north of the Yellow River. Once the north of the river is pacified, your hegemony is achieved. I beg Your Excellency to consider this carefully." Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "I regret meeting Xin Zhizhi so late!" That very day he led his army to march against Ji Province. Liu Bei, fearing some scheme on Cao Cao's part, dared not pursue, and led his own army back to Jing Province.

Now, when Yuan Shang learned that the Cao army had crossed the river, he hastily led his troops back to Ye, ordering Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang to cover the rear. When Yuan Tan saw that Shang was withdrawing, he raised the full army of Pingyuan and followed in pursuit. They had not gone more than a few tens of li when a cannon shot rang out and two forces emerged together: Lü Kuang on the left, Lü Xiang on the right. The two brothers blocked Yuan Tan's path. Yuan Tan reined in his horse and addressed the two generals, saying, "When my father was alive, I never treated you two generals with disrespect. Why do you now follow my younger brother and press me so?"

Upon hearing these words, the two generals dismounted and surrendered to Yuan Tan. Tan said, "Do not surrender to me—surrender to Chancellor Cao instead." The two generals thereupon followed Tan back to camp. Tan waited for Cao Cao's army to arrive, then presented the two generals to Cao. Cao was overjoyed and pledged his daughter to Tan in marriage, appointing Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang as the matchmakers. Tan requested that Cao attack and seize Ji Province. Cao said, "At present, our grain and fodder are not yet connected, and transport is laborious. I will dam the Qi River at the Ji River and divert its waters into the Bai Gou to open a supply route, and then advance." He ordered Tan to remain in Pingyuan for the time being. Cao led his army back to camp at Liyang, enfeoffed Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang as marquises, and kept them with the army for service. Guo Tu said to Yuan Tan, "Cao Cao's pledge of his daughter in marriage is likely not sincere. Moreover, he has rewarded Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and taken them into his army—this is merely a scheme to win over the hearts of the people of Hebei. In the end, they will surely become a scourge to us. My lord, you should have two general's seals secretly made and send them by a covert messenger to the two Lüs, instructing them to act as inside agents. Once Cao has defeated Yuan Shang, you can seize the opportunity to strike."

Tan followed this advice and had two general's seals made, which he secretly sent to the two Lüs. The two Lüs received them and went directly to report this to Cao Cao. Cao laughed heartily and said, "Tan secretly sent the seals because he wants you two to serve as his inside helpers, to make his move once I have defeated Yuan Shang. For now, you may accept them—I have my own plans." From this point on, Cao Cao harbored the intention to kill Tan.

Meanwhile, Yuan Shang and Shen Pei were deliberating. "Now that Cao's troops are transporting grain into the Bai Gou, they will surely come to attack Ji Province. What shall we do?" Pei said, "We can issue a summons ordering Yin Kai, magistrate of Wu'an, to garrison Mao Cheng and open the supply route from Shangdang; and order Ju Gu, the son of Ju Shou, to defend Handan as a distant show of support. My lord, you should advance on Pingyuan and urgently attack Yuan Tan. First cut off Yuan Tan, then defeat Cao." Yuan Shang was greatly pleased. He left Shen Pei and Chen Lin to defend Ji Province, appointed Ma Yan and Zhang Yi as vanguard commanders, and set out by night to attack Pingyuan. Tan learned that Shang's forces were approaching and sent an urgent appeal to Cao. Cao said, "This time I shall surely obtain Ji Province."

Just as they was speaking, Xu You arrived from Xuchang. Hearing that Shang was again attacking Tan, he went in to see Cao and said, "Chancellor, do you intend to sit here waiting for heaven's thunder to strike down the two Yuans?" Cao smiled and said, "I have already foreseen this." He then ordered Cao Hong to advance and attack Ye first, while he himself led another force to attack Yin Kai. When the army reached the border, Yin Kai led his troops to meet them. Kai rode forth, and Cao said, "Where is Xu Zhongkang?" Xu Chu answered the call and charged forth on horseback, riding straight for Yin Kai. Caught off guard, Kai was cut down with a single stroke of Xu Chu's blade, and the rest of his forces fled in disarray. Cao accepted all their surrenders and then led his army to take Handan. Ju Gu advanced to meet them. Zhang Liao rode forth and engaged Gu in battle. After no more than three exchanges, Gu was soundly defeated, and Liao pursued him from behind. When the two horses were not far apart, Liao quickly drew his bow and shot, and Gu fell from his horse at the twang of the string. Cao ordered his cavalry to charge, and the enemy scattered in all directions.

Thereupon Cao led his main army forward to Ji Province. Cao Hong was already near the city walls. Cao ordered the three armies to build earthen mounds around the city and secretly dig tunnels to attack from below. Shen Pei had established firm defenses with strict discipline. Feng Li, the commander of the Eastern Gate, had been negligent in his patrol duties due to drunkenness, and Shen Pei punished him severely. Feng Li bore a grudge and secretly left the city to surrender to Cao. Cao asked him for a strategy to breach the city. Feng Li said, "The earth inside the sally port is thick—you can dig a tunnel through it to enter." Cao then ordered Feng Li to lead three hundred sturdy soldiers and dig a tunnel through by night.

After Feng Li's surrender, Shen Pei personally ascended the walls each night to inspect the troops. That night, standing on the tower above the sally port, he noticed that there were no lights outside the walls. Pei said, "Feng Li must be leading troops in through the tunnel." He quickly summoned elite soldiers to hurl stones and strike the sally port gate. The gate was sealed shut, and Feng Li and his three hundred soldiers all perished beneath the earth. Having suffered this setback, Cao abandoned the tunnel strategy and withdrew his army to the banks of the Huan River to wait for Yuan Shang's return. Shang was attacking Pingyuan when he learned that Cao Cao had defeated Yin Kai and Ju Gu and that the main army was besieging Ji Province. He immediately pulled his troops back to relieve the city. His general Ma Yan said, "If we take the main road, Cao Cao will certainly have ambushes laid. We can take the small road, come out from the western hills through the Fu River mouth and raid Cao's camp—this will surely lift the siege."

Shang followed his advice and led the main army ahead himself, ordering Ma Yan and Zhang Yi to bring up the rear. A spy quickly reported this to Cao Cao. Cao said, "If they come by the main road, I shall avoid them; but if they come by the small road through the western hills, I can capture them in a single battle. I predict Yuan Shang will use fire as a signal to coordinate with the city's defenders. I can divide my forces to strike them." And so his dispositions were made.

Yuan Shang emerged from the Fu River pass, marched east to Yangping, and camped at Yangping Pavilion—seventeen li from Ji Province, with the Fu River at his back. Shang ordered his soldiers to pile up firewood and dry grass, and at night to burn them as a signal. He sent his chief clerk Li Fu, disguised as a Cao army commander, all the way to the city walls, where he shouted, "Open the gate!" Shen Pei recognized Li Fu's voice and admitted him into the city. Li Fu said, "Yuan Shang has deployed his forces at Yangping Pavilion and is waiting to coordinate with us. If the troops in the city sortie, they will also light fires as a signal." Pei ordered the city to pile up kindling and set fires to communicate. Li Fu said, "The city is out of grain. You can send out the old, the weak, and the women to surrender. They will certainly not be on guard, and I can lead troops out behind the civilians to attack them." Pei adopted this plan.

The next day, a white banner was raised on the city wall, bearing the words: "The people of Jizhou surrender." Cao Cao said, "This is because the city has no food left, so they have sent the old and weak to surrender. Surely soldiers will come out afterward." He ordered Zhang Liao and Xu Huang each to lead three thousand troops and hide on either side. Cao Cao himself rode out with his banners and canopy to the city gate. Sure enough, when the city gate opened, the people emerged carrying white pennants, the old and young supporting one another. Just as the last of the citizens had come out, soldiers poured from the city. Cao Cao gave the signal with a red banner, and Zhang Liao and Xu Huang's forces charged from both sides, cutting down the defenders, who were forced to retreat back inside. Cao Cao himself spurred his horse forward and reached the edge of the drawbridge, when a rain of crossbow bolts fell from the city, one striking his helmet and nearly piercing through to his skull. His officers rushed to carry him back to the lines. Cao Cao changed his clothes and horse, then led his officers to attack Yuan Shang's camp. Yuan Shang came out to meet the attack himself.

By this time, the various armies had all arrived and joined the fray. The two sides clashed in a confused battle, and Yuan Shang was utterly defeated. He led his troops west to encamp at the foot of the Western Hills and sent to hasten the arrival of the forces of Ma Yan and Zhang Yi. He did not know that Cao Cao had already sent Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang to win over those two generals. The two followed the two Lüs and surrendered to Cao Cao, who enfeoffed them as marquises. That same day, Cao Cao advanced on the Western Hills, sending the two Lüs along with Ma Yan and Zhang Yi to cut off Yuan Shang's supply lines.

Yuan Shang knew in his heart that he could not hold the Western Hills. That night, he slipped away to Yikou. Before his camp could even be set up, fires blazed up on all sides and hidden troops charged out. His men had no time to put on armor, nor to saddle their horses. Yuan Shang's army was routed and fled fifty li, utterly spent and at the end of their strength. He had no choice but but to send Yin Kui, the Inspector of Yuzhou, to Cao Cao's camp to beg for terms. Cao Cao pretended to grant them, but that very night sent Zhang Liao and Xu Huang to raid the camp. Yuan Shang abandoned all his seals, ribbons, tallies, and military equipment, his armor and baggage, and fled toward Zhongshan. Cao Cao turned his army back to attack Jizhou. Xu You offered a plan: "Why not breach the Zhang River and flood the city?"

Cao Cao approved the plan. He first sent soldiers to dig a trench outside the city, extending some forty li around it. Shen Pei, watching from the city wall, saw Cao Cao's troops digging the trench, but noticed they were digging only very shallowly. Shen Pei said to himself with a smirk, "They mean to break open the Zhang River and flood the city. The river is deep enough for flooding—but such a shallow trench, what use could it be?" He therefore made no preparations.

That night, Cao Cao increased his laborers tenfold and they dug with all their strength. By the time dawn broke, the trench was two zhang wide and two zhang deep, and they diverted the Zhang River into the city. The water rose several chi deep. To make matters worse, food supplies were completely cut off, and the soldiers all starved to death. Shen Pi, outside the city, used a spear to hold up Yuan Shang's seals, ribbons, and clothing, calling on those within to surrender. Shen Pei flew into a rage. He had Shen Pi's entire family—more than eighty souls—beheaded on the wall and threw their heads down. Shen Pi wept bitterly without ceasing.

Shen Pei's nephew, Shen Rong, had long been close to Shen Pi. Seeing Shen Pi's family slaughtered, he harbored a bitter resentment. He secretly wrote a letter offering to open the city gate, tied it to an arrow, and shot it down from the wall. A soldier picked it up and gave it to Shen Pi, who in turn presented it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao first issued an order: "Once we enter Jizhou, no one is to harm a single member of the Yuan family, old or young; all soldiers and civilians who surrender shall be spared."

The next day at dawn, Shen Rong threw open the western gate and let Cao Cao's troops in. Shen Pi was the first to spur his horse inside, and the officers followed, storming into Jizhou. Shen Pei, on the southeastern tower, saw that Cao Cao's soldiers had already entered the city. He led several riders down from the wall to fight to the death, and ran straight into Xu Huang. Xu Huang captured Shen Pei alive and bound him, bringing him out of the city, where he met Shen Pi on the road. Shen Pi gnashed his teeth and pointed his whip at Shen Pei's head. "You murdering wretch! Today you shall die!" he said. Shen Pei cursed him: "You treacherous scoundrel! You brought Cao Cao to destroy my Jizhou—I only regret that I did not kill you long ago!"

Xu Huang brought Shen Pei before Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, "Do you know who opened the gate to receive me?" Shen Pei said, "I do not." Cao Cao said, "It was your nephew, Shen Rong." Shen Pei said angrily, "That boy had no sense of duty—and it has come to this!" Cao Cao said, "Yesterday when I came to the city wall, why were there so many crossbow bolts in the city?" Shen Pei said, "I only wish there had been more! I only wish there had been more!" Cao Cao said, "You were loyal to the Yuan family—I cannot fault you for that. Now, will you submit to me?" Shen Pei said, "I will not submit! I will not submit!" Shen Pi threw himself to the ground weeping. "My family of more than eighty souls was all slaughtered by this villain. I beg you, Prime Minister, to execute him and avenge this wrong!" Shen Pei said, "I was born a servant of the Yuan family and will die a ghost of the Yuan family. I am nothing like you flatterers and sycophants! Behead me at once!" Cao Cao ordered him led out. As he was about to face execution, he rebuked the executioner. "My lord is to the north—you must not make me die facing south!" He knelt facing north and stretched out his neck to the blade. A later poet lamented:

Many famed men in the land of Hebei—

Who could compare with Shen Zhengnan?

His life was lost through a foolish lord,

His heart matched the ancients of old.

In loyalty, his words hid nothing;

In integrity, his will knew no greed.

Even facing death, he faced the north—

And all who surrendered were put to shame.

After Shen Pei's death, Cao Cao, moved by his loyalty and righteousness, ordered him buried north of the city. The officers invited Cao Cao to enter the city. Cao Cao was just about to set out when the executioners brought a man before him. Cao Cao looked at him and saw that it was Chen Lin. Cao Cao said to him, "When you wrote that proclamation for Benchu earlier, it was all right to list my crimes—but why did you have to insult my ancestors as well?" Chen Lin replied, "The arrow was already on the bowstring—I had no choice but to release it." Those around urged Cao Cao to kill him. But Cao Cao, admiring his talent, pardoned him instead and appointed him as an Attendant Official.

Now Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Pi, styled Zihuan, was eighteen years old at this time. When he was born, a single cloud of bluish-purple vapor, round like a carriage canopy, covered his chamber and did not disperse all day. A diviner who read the omens said secretly to Cao Cao, "This is the aura of a Son of Heaven. Your heir's fortune is beyond words." By the age of eight, Cao Pi could compose essays. He had exceptional talent, was learned in both ancient and modern affairs, skilled in archery and horsemanship, and fond of fencing. When Cao Cao took Jizhou, Cao Pi was with his father in the army. He first took command of his personal guard, rode straight to the Yuan Shao residence, dismounted, and drew his sword to enter. An officer stepped forward to block him. "The Prime Minister has given orders—no one is to enter the Yuan residence." Cao Pi drove him back with a shout, then strode with his sword into the inner hall, where he saw two women clinging to each other and weeping. He stepped forward about to strike them down. Indeed:

Four generations of lords and marquises had already become a dream—

And now one family's flesh and blood faced calamity once more.

What became of their fates will be told in the next chapter.

# Chapter 32: The Fall of Yuan Shao at Cangting

Yuan Shao, having lost the battle at Guandu, retreated to his stronghold, deeply ill and unable to rise. His condition worsened daily. His wife, Lady Liu, was determined to eliminate the concubine he favored, the mother of his youngest son Yuan Shang. She sent trusted retainers to kill the woman, then had her body mutilated beyond recognition so that Yuan Shao would not see her. Yuan Shang, however, managed to escape and flee north.

In the year 202, Cao Cao prepared to attack Yuan Shao. Xun Yu advised caution, but Guo Jia argued that Yuan Shao was already weakened and disorganized, and that the time was ripe for a decisive campaign. Cao Cao agreed and marched north with a large army.

When Cao Cao's forces advanced, Yuan Shao's illness grew severe. He summoned his advisors to discuss the succession. Since his eldest son Yuan Tan was stationed at Qing Province and his second son Yuan Xi at You Province, only Yuan Shang remained at his side. The decision was left unresolved as Yuan Shao's condition deteriorated rapidly.

Yuan Shao, lying on his deathbed, was unable to speak clearly. Lady Liu and Shen Pei hastily installed Yuan Shang as his successor, bypassing the elder sons. When Yuan Tan learned of this, he was furious and began gathering his own forces, setting the stage for conflict among the brothers.

Cao Cao seized this opportunity to advance. Yuan Shang led the army to meet him at Cangting. The battle was fierce, but Cao Cao's superior strategy and the disunity among the Yuan forces led to a devastating defeat for Yuan Shang. Yuan Shao's remaining troops scattered, and Yuan Shang fled north to join his brother Yuan Xi.

Cao Cao pursued the remnants of the Yuan army, consolidating his control over the northern territories. The once-mighty Yuan clan, which had commanded the largest force in the land, was now fractured and in decline. The seeds of internal strife planted by the succession dispute would continue to weaken the Yuan brothers, making them easy prey for Cao Cao's ambitions.