Chapter 86: Cao Peng Closes the Net

At the very moment when Cao Peng and Liu Bei were brewing wine and discussing heroes beneath the green plums, in the imperial palace of Xuchang, Liu Xie was summoning his courtiers for a council. Dong Cheng, Fu Wan, and Wang Zifu were present, each aware that the situation had reached its most critical juncture.

“Are you certain of your information?” Liu Xie inquired.

“There can be no mistake,” Wang Zifu replied. “The news comes directly from Cao Pi. It’s very likely that Cao Cao fell from a cliff to his death. Now Cao Peng has returned, seeking to seize power.”

Dong Cheng, however, was not so easily swept away by excitement. He asked, “We must not be careless in this matter. Have none of you noticed anything amiss? Zhang Liao and Cao Ren are still leading an army encamped outside the city. Could it be that Cao Cao himself is waiting to entrap us beyond the gates?”

“I’ve considered this,” Wang Zifu answered. “Cao Pi claims it’s merely a ruse by Cao Peng. All of Cao Cao’s trusted generals have been summoned to the Minister of Works’ residence, where Cao Peng intends to keep them under house arrest—he may well be plotting a coup.”

Liu Xie seethed. “Cao Peng is even more devious than Cao Cao. If he gains the upper hand, my days will surely be numbered.”

“Your Majesty need not worry,” Dong Cheng said, dismissing Cao Peng’s threat. “He’s an overreaching youth. Such heavy-handedness will inevitably provoke mutiny. Once chaos erupts within the Cao clan, we can seize the opportunity amidst the disorder.”

Suddenly, a thought struck him. “But how did Cao Pi learn of all this?”

Wang Zifu replied, “Some generals have already sent secret envoys to contact Cao Pi, hoping he’ll rise up and restore order.”

“It still doesn’t add up. Where is Cao Ang?”

“They say he’s also been detained by Cao Peng.”

“Hah! It seems the Cao clan will meet its ruin at Cao Peng’s hand!”

Piecing these reports together, they were convinced the Cao household was on the verge of internal strife. Their pressing problem, however, was a lack of troops. They needed to summon a powerful noble with a substantial force to enter the capital under the pretext of protecting the emperor.

The discussion turned to whom they should invite.

“Yuan Shao of Hebei comes from a line of high ministers. If he comes, he surely has the strength to restore order,” Fu Wan suggested.

At the mention of Yuan Shao, Liu Xie’s anger flared. He shook his head. “When I called upon him to rescue me, he refused. He may not be a loyal subject.”

“Your Majesty, it was not that Lord Yuan was unwilling,” countered another. “Cao Cao simply moved faster and took us hostage!”

“Yuan Shao’s family is honorable; he must remember the Han’s benevolence, unlike Cao Cao, a descendant of the eunuchs.”

“Your Majesty, the times have changed. Once Yuan Shao sweeps away the chaos, if we unite to restore the court, the realm will surely be revived!”

Thus persuaded, Liu Xie, ever blind to his own puppet strings, was again convinced. He saw only the Cao family as his enemy and never realized that no matter who replaced them, he would always remain a pawn.

Having made up his mind, he asked, “If that’s the case, what should I do?”

Dong Cheng replied, “Your Majesty may write a blood edict on your sash. I will take it upon myself to deliver it to a trustworthy man and have it sent to Yuan Shao.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie’s first thought was how much it would hurt to bite open his own finger. Weak by nature, he hesitated at the prospect of such pain. Yet, recalling the humiliation and anger he suffered, he steeled himself and bit down, drawing blood. With it, he inscribed on his sash an imperial edict calling for the loyal to rise against the traitors.

“I leave it in your hands!”

Dong Cheng knelt to receive the blood edict, then departed the palace with Wang Zifu.

Originally, Dong Cheng had intended to use Liu Bei to transmit the edict, but with Liu Bei now reportedly under house arrest by Cao Peng, he had to find another way.

The sky remained overcast, torrents of rain pouring down, as Dong Cheng and Wang Zifu braved the storm toward Yang Biao’s residence.

Upon arrival, Yang Biao read the blood edict and was aghast. “Who would have thought His Majesty would suffer such indignities? What would you have me do?”

“Master Yang, your reputation is sterling. Please find a trustworthy individual to take this blood edict out of the city,” Dong Cheng urged.

Yang Biao pondered for a while. “Ma Teng of Xiliang is loyal to the Han and happens to be in Xuchang these days. I shall entrust him with the edict and have him carry it out. What do you think?”

Dong Cheng nodded. “I leave it to you, Master Yang.”

Meanwhile, as Dong Cheng entered Yang’s residence for their clandestine meeting, a spy relayed the news to the Minister of Works. Chen Qun immediately dispatched a report to Cao Peng.

Cao Peng was still in the courtyard, drinking with Liu Bei. When the messenger arrived, Liu Bei prepared to excuse himself, but Cao Peng waved his hand, indicating he need not bother.

“What is it? Speak,” Cao Peng ordered.

“Lord Chen says the fish has taken the bait.”

A smile finally broke across Cao Peng’s face. Events were unfolding faster than he had anticipated. Rising, he said to Liu Bei and his two companions, “Gentlemen, if you would follow me to the main hall, the real drama is about to begin.”

Liu Bei seemed to have guessed something, his face calm and inscrutable as he followed along.

In the main hall, Cao Peng swept his gaze over the assembled generals. They had been sitting for some time, and these brawny warriors were growing restless.

Cao Peng gave his orders:

“Xu Chu, take the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and arrest Dong Cheng.”

“Man Chong, take your men to search Yang Biao’s residence for the blood edict.”

“At your command!” they replied in unison.

Xu Chu and Man Chong departed to carry out their orders. Cao Peng then announced, “Gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The fish has taken the bait. You may now return to your camps and await the spectacle.”

The generals rose and took their leave. Though loyal to Cao Cao, they did not entirely trust Cao Peng, but since his command was only to remain on standby, they were content to await their true master’s return.

Soon, only Cao Peng and Liu Bei’s three brothers remained in the hall. Cao Peng turned and said, “Xuande, you are free to go as well.”

Liu Bei had not expected Cao Peng to release him. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, he declared, “My brothers and I choose to remain here, at your disposal, General.”

At these words, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei looked at Liu Bei in astonishment, but his expression remained tranquil.

Outside, the rain had finally begun to ease.

Meanwhile, Dong Cheng and Wang Zifu sat together in their carriage, in high spirits as they returned from Yang’s estate.

“Once the edict reaches Yuan Shao, he will surely clash with the Cao clan,” Wang Zifu said, bowing to Dong Cheng. “When that happens, we can sit back and reap the rewards. General, you will have the chance to restore the court, become the Han’s foremost hero, your name recorded for all ages.”

Dong Cheng was pleased by these words. “And it will be thanks to loyal ministers like you. When this calamity passes, you too shall become the pillars of the Han.”

As Dong Cheng’s carriage neared the palace gates, the thunder of hooves erupted. Xu Chu, leading a company of armored cavalry, surrounded the carriage.

“Those inside, come out at once!”