Chapter 58: Please Be Kind to My Ling’er

Though Cao Cao was deeply grieved, he could say no more. With a wave of his hand, soldiers stepped forward and led Chen Gong away. Having mourned Chen Gong for a moment, Cao Cao suddenly remembered someone else. He swept his gaze about but could not find her.

Anxiously, he asked, “Where is Diao Chan?”

Diao Chan?

For a moment, everyone was bewildered—the reason for his sudden inquiry was unclear. No one replied until he repeated the question, when Xu Chu, with his usual bluntness, answered, “That woman refused to surrender. I ordered the soldiers to take her away with Lü Bu, to be executed together!”

Cao Cao snapped, “When did I say Diao Chan was to be executed? Bring her to me at once!”

The messenger at his side immediately hurried off to deliver Cao Cao’s command, fearing that a moment’s delay might mean Diao Chan’s life. Cao Peng also intended to go, for he already regarded Diao Chan as a prize destined for him. Yet, rather than rushing after the messenger, he paused to take stock of the moment.

Since earlier, he had been observing a particular group—those who had once served under Lü Bu. Now, Zhang Liao stood among Zang Ba and the others. Having witnessed the fates of Lü Bu and Chen Gong, their hearts were heavy with sorrow. Their hatred for Lü Bu was real, but so too was the loyalty they once pledged.

At last, Zhang Liao spoke: “Let us go together, to pay our last respects to the Marquis.”

The others immediately concurred.

“I had the same thought.”

“So be it.”

And so, a group of them walked in the direction where Lü Bu had been taken.

…

At the foot of White Gate Tower, Diao Chan stumbled after Lü Bu’s prison cart, resolved to share his fate. Lü Bu, hair disheveled and in utter distress, was deeply moved by Diao Chan’s steadfastness.

Yet he tried to dissuade her: “Diao Chan, why must you die with me?”

Diao Chan lifted her wan face, managing a feeble smile. “General, if you die, what purpose is there for me to live?”

Lü Bu, overwhelmed with emotion, had no time to reply, for they had already reached the execution grounds. The headsmen dragged Lü Bu and Diao Chan from the cart, preparing to lead them to the scaffold. Suddenly, a horseman galloped up from the distance.

“Stay your blades!”

Reining in, the messenger cried, “By order of the Grand Minister, only Lü Bu is to be executed; Diao Chan is to be spared!”

At these words, both Lü Bu and Diao Chan turned as pale as death.

“No, I wish to be with the General!”

Her haggard face stirred pity and, with pleading eyes, Diao Chan looked to the soldiers, hoping they would not take her away.

“That’s not your decision to make. Take her away!”

At the leader’s command, three men stepped forward and forcibly tore Diao Chan from Lü Bu’s side.

“No!”

Lü Bu could only watch, helpless and furious, as Diao Chan was dragged from him.

At that moment, Xu Chu arrived on horseback, sent by Cao Cao to oversee the execution himself. He was disgruntled, for Cao Cao had just rebuked him over the matter of Diao Chan. Now, irritably and impatiently, he barked, “Enough—carry out the sentence!”

The headsmen forced Lü Bu onto the platform. Four strong men pinned him down, compelling him to kneel. A shining blade was raised high.

“No!” Diao Chan screamed, her voice breaking, nearly fainting with despair.

Just then, a voice rang out: “Wait! Lü Bu is a hero of his age. Before he departs, let me offer him a cup of wine.”

Xu Chu frowned and looked up, curious to see who dared propose such a gesture. He saw it was Cao Peng. The words of reproach on his lips were swallowed.

Xu Chu relented, “Young General, perhaps this is not appropriate…”

Cao Peng came forward, draping an arm around Xu Chu’s shoulder with a grin. “Brother Zhongkang, grant me this favor.”

After a moment’s thought, Xu Chu agreed; after all, he owed Cao Peng some deference—his status was now almost equal to that of Guo Jia, and, besides, he was the Chief's own nephew.

Cao Peng approached Lü Bu and presented him with a cup of wine.

“General Fengxian, you are a hero—I salute you.”

Lü Bu, his hands still shackled, took the cup with difficulty, his nose stinging with emotion.

“Thank you. My time has come, but I have one request to make of you, General.”

“Speak, General Fengxian.”

“Please, take good care of my Ling'er.”

Cao Peng was momentarily embarrassed—everyone knew he had captured Lü Lingqi himself. Clearly, Lü Bu believed that something had already passed between him and his daughter.

“Rest assured, General…” Cao Peng could only offer this comfort, uncertain of what else to say.

Lü Bu then produced a jade pendant and handed it to Cao Peng. “This was meant as a birthday gift for her. I kept forgetting to give it. Please, deliver it to her for me.”

Lü Bu had accepted the inevitability of his death. Seeing that Cao Peng seemed a decent man, he entrusted him with this final token—a father’s last act of love for his child.