Cao Cao was intent on executing Liu Dai and Wang Zhong. Kong Rong interceded: “These men are no match for Liu Bei—if you kill them, you will lose the hearts of your own soldiers.” Relenting, Cao Cao spared their lives but stripped them of rank and pension. He then planned to march against Liu Bei himself. Kong Rong advised, “It is mid-winter—too cold to campaign. Wait until spring. In the meantime, you might first secure Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao’s submission, then turn on Xuzhou.” Cao Cao approved and sent Liu Ye to parley with Zhang Xiu.
At Xiangcheng, Liu Ye first called on Jia Xu, extolling Cao Cao’s virtues. Jia Xu invited him to stay, then next day accompanied him to Zhang Xiu’s camp, where Liu Ye delivered Cao Cao’s offer of pardon. As they deliberated, a messenger from Yuan Shao arrived with a letter of his own, likewise urging Zhang Xiu to submit. Jia Xu asked, “How fares your war with Cao Cao?” The envoy replied, “Winter campaigns are stalled. We come because you and Governor Liu Biao are both renowned men of the realm.” Jia Xu laughed, tore up Yuan Shao’s letter, and sent the messenger away: “If you cannot endure your own brothers, how can you shelter all the realm’s worthies?”
Zhang Xiu fretted, “Yuan Shao is strong and Cao Cao is weak—if I spurn Shao, what then?” Jia Xu counseled, “Better to side with Cao Cao.” Zhang Xiu protested their old enmity, but Jia Xu offered three reasons to join Cao Cao: (1) Cao wields the emperor’s edict; (2) Shao will never truly prize you, whereas Cao, though weaker, would value your service; (3) Cao’s lofty ambition suits a reconciliation that transcends personal grudges. Convinced, Zhang Xiu sent for Liu Ye, gratified by Cao Cao’s assurance that old grievances would be forgiven. Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu then rode to Xuchang to surrender. Cao Cao rushed out to receive Zhang Xiu at the palace steps: “Your lapse was small—let all be forgotten.” He appointed Zhang Xiu General of Military Prowess and made Jia Xu Commander of the Imperial Guards.
Cao Cao next ordered Zhang Xiu to write to Liu Biao and secure his allegiance. Jia Xu advised, “Liu Biao admires letters and scholars—send someone of literary fame.” Cao Cao asked Xu You, who recommended Kong Rong. Xu You then sought out Kong Rong: “The Chancellor wishes a man of letters to serve as envoy—are you willing?” Kong Rong demurred, “My friend Mi Heng, courtesy name Zhengping, exceeds me a hundred-fold. He is fit to serve at court, not merely as envoy. I will recommend him to His Majesty.” He therefore presented a memorial extolling Mi Heng’s erudition, eloquence, and moral courage, and requested that the twenty-four-year-old be summoned for examination.
Emperor Xian reviewed the memorial and forwarded it to Cao Cao, who called Mi Heng to court. When Mi Heng arrived, Cao Cao did not offer him a seat. Mi Heng looked up to heaven and sighed, “The world is vast—how can it lack worthy men?” Cao Cao replied, “I have dozens of heroes under my command—how say there are none?” Mi Heng said, “Pray tell me their names.” Cao Cao listed his chief ministers and generals—Xun Yu, Xu You, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu; Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, Li Dian, Le Jin; Yu Jin, Man Chong, Yu Jia; Xiahou Dun, Cao Xiao—and asked, “Do you still say I lack men of talent?” Mi Heng laughed, “All are but functionaries in your service: Xun Yu to visit the bereaved, Xu You to guard graves, Cheng Yu to secure doors, Guo Jia to compose official memorials; Zhang Liao to beat drums, Xu Chu to herd cattle, Le Jin to summon records, Li Dian to dispatch commands, Yu Jin to sharpen weapons, Man Chong to offer libations, Yu Jia to detail siege works, Xiahou Dun to levy taxes, Cao Xiao to collect tribute. These are scaffold poles, not true pillars! A real sage can rule as Yao or Shun, a true hero shine like Confucius or Yan Hui—can such men be ranked with your everyday retainers?”
Angered, Cao Cao drew his sword to strike him, but only Zhang Liao stood at his side. Cao Cao said, “I lack a drum-beater for court ceremonies—perhaps you can fill that post.” Mi Heng accepted at once, recognizing the slight as a form of humiliation. Zhang Liao muttered, “He insults the gods themselves!” Cao Cao replied, “Kill him and the world will say I cannot tolerate talent. Let him beat the drum and show his own folly.”
The next day, Cao Cao held a grand banquet in the provincial hall and summoned the drum-beater. Attendants said, “He must wear new robes to beat the drum.” Mi Heng arrived in his old ragged coat. Taking the drumsticks, he performed the “Three Beats of Yuyang” with a metallic clang that moved many to tears. Guests cried, “Why wear such tatters?” Mi Heng stripped off his shabby garb, standing naked before the court. Everyone turned away in shame. He calmly donned simple trousers—no one noticed the color change. Cao Cao thundered, “In the imperial hall you show no decorum!” Mi Heng replied, “To cover the deceit of a usurper is worse than nakedness. I bare my parents’ bodies to prove my own innocence.” Cao Cao retorted, “If you stand for purity, who is your stain?” Mi Heng shot back, “Your eyes are clouded for lacking discernment; your ears are tainted for refusing honest counsel; your tongue is foul for silencing loyalty; your body is unclean for ignoring history; your belly is corrupt for oppressing princes; your heart is black for harboring treason. To make me drum for you is like asking the phoenix to feed a carrion-crow!” He condemned Cao Cao’s cruelty and injustice to the realm.
Kong Rong, fearing Mi Heng’s death, interposed: “His offence is no greater than Xu Mao’s—let him be sent as envoy.” Cao Cao said, “Very well—send him to Jingzhou. If Liu Biao submits, we will make him a high minister.” Mi Heng refused to go. Cao Cao ordered three horses be readied, had two attendants escort him, and sent him off with a token banquet at the East Gate.
On arrival in Jingzhou, Mi Heng met Liu Biao. Praising his rule, he inserted barbs beneath the compliments—Liu Biao was displeased and sent him on to Jiangxia to present himself to Huang Zu. When asked why he had not executed Mi Heng, Liu Biao replied, “If Cao Cao spares him, he fears losing face. I would slay him and seem to harm the virtuous.” His courtiers applauded this cunning.
Yuan Shao likewise sent envoys to Liu Biao. At court, Liu Biao asked his advisers, “Yuan Shao beckons me and Cao Cao’s envoy Mi Heng is here—whom should I side with?” His general Han Song replied, “Between the two titans, ride on Cao’s coattails: he values ability and will treat you with respect. I will go observe his court.” Liu Biao agreed and dispatched Han Song.
Han Song received high office under Cao Cao—Provincial Secretary and Prefect of Lingling. Xun Yu protested that Mi Heng had yet to prove himself; Cao Cao shrugged, “Mi Heng’s insults run deep—I used his own words to trap him.” Han Song returned to Jingzhou to report.
At court, Han Song’s praise of Cao Cao angered Liu Biao: “Do you serve two masters?” Furious, he nearly executed Han Song, but was entreated to relent.
Huang Zu in Jiangxia received Mi Heng. Drunk together, Zu asked, “Who in Xuchang is worth noting?” Mi Heng sneered, “Only Kong Rong and Yang Dezhu—besides them, none.” Zu demanded, “And me?” Mi Heng retorted, “You are a temple idol—honored but powerless.” Enraged, Zu beheaded him. Mi Heng continued to hurl abuse even in death. Liu Biao mourned and buried him on Parrot Isle. A poet lamented:
“Huang Zu stands but second-rate, Yet Mi’s gem lay shattered at this shore; When I pass by Parrot Isle once more, Only the heartless river will endure.”
News reached Cao Cao of Mi Heng’s fate. Smiling, he remarked, “The scholar’s tongue has strangled himself!” Seeing Liu Biao still unbowed, Cao Cao resolved on war. Xun Yu counseled, “First crush Yuan Shao, then deal with Liu Biao—only then can we pacify Jianghan.” Cao Cao agreed.
Meanwhile, Dong Cheng, having failed to recruit allies after Liu Bei’s departure, fell ill of anger. On New Year’s Day—Jian’an Year Five—Emperor Xian summoned the imperial physician Ji Tai to treat him. Ji Tai, called “Ji Ping,” was renowned in Luoyang. He arrived at Dong Cheng’s residence day and night, administering salves but saw only long sighs and could not ask why.
During the Lantern Festival, Ji Ping prepared to leave. Dong Cheng detained him, and they drank together. As Ji Ping dozed in his outer robe, Dong Cheng’s co-conspirators Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, Zhong Ji, Wu Zilan, and Ma Teng burst in: “Our scheme is ready!” Dong Cheng donned his cuirass and grabbed his halberd to lead his thousand retainers in an immediate nighttime coup against Cao Cao. Riding to the palace’s rear hall at the second watch, he charged in, sword swung, shouting, “Cao Cao the traitor, your end is here!”—then awoke with a start. It had all been a fevered dream; he still raged “traitor” in his sleep.
Ji Ping cried, “You would kill Lord Cao?” Dong Cheng shuddered at being exposed. Ji Ping said, “Fear not, uncle. Though I heal men by day, I have not forgotten the Han’s cause. I sensed your distress in dreams—if you need my help, I will risk all without regret.” Dong Cheng burst into tears: “I feared your sincerity!” Ji Ping then swore by biting off his own finger and demanded to see the imperial sash-edict. Dong Cheng confessed, “Our plot faltered when Liu Bei and Ma Teng departed months ago—I fell ill of despair.” Ji Ping reassured him: “Not all is lost. The poison I carry in my medicine can fell Cao Cao with a single dose—no swords needed.” Dong Cheng exclaimed, “If you can do this, you alone can save the dynasty!” Ji Ping bid farewell and left.
Elated, Dong Cheng returned to the rear hall—but paused at the sound of hushed whispers. He discovered his manservant Qin Qingtong and his concubine Yun Ying clandestinely plotting. Enraged, Dong Cheng ordered them seized for execution. His wife interceded, sparing their lives; instead they were flogged forty strokes and Qin Qingtong locked in the storeroom. Wracked with resentment, Qin Qingtong broke free in the night and fled to Cao Cao’s palace to betray his master’s secrets.
At Xuchang, Qin Qingtong revealed to Cao Cao that Dong Cheng, Wang Zifu, Wu Shuo, Zhong Ji, Wu Zilan, and Ma Teng had met in secret, planning rebellion, and that Ji Ping had sworn by biting off his finger. Cao Cao hid Qin Qingtong in the palace, and Dong Cheng, believing his servant had fled elsewhere, did not pursue him.
Next morning, Cao Cao feigned another headache to summon Ji Ping. Ji Ping mused, “This villain must fall!” He smuggled the lethal poison in his medical kit. Lying on his bed, Cao Cao ordered Ji Ping to prepare his prescription: “This ailment is cured in one dose.” Ji Ping set out the herbs, adding the poison before brewing. Suspicious, Cao Cao stalled and then said, “Surely you understand that a loyal subject tastes his lord’s medicine first?” Ji Ping protested, “One takes medicine, not staves.” Seeing his plot unveiled, he seized Cao Cao’s ear and forced the decoction down. The fragments of the clay stove splintered under the assault.
Cao Cao flung the medicine aside and cried, “I feigned sickness to test your treachery!” He ordered twenty guards to strip Ji Ping to the ground in the rear garden for interrogation. Bound and beaten, Ji Ping met every blow with defiance. Cao Cao sneered, “You must not act alone—name your accomplice and I will spare you.” Ji Ping spat back, “I alone would slay the tyrant—no one urged me!” Angered, Cao Cao ordered him beaten for two hours until his flesh was lacerated and blood ran down the steps. Fearing he might die under torture, Cao Cao commanded the guards to haul him away to recover.
That evening, Cao Cao hosted a banquet and summoned the ministers. Dong Cheng feigned illness and did not attend; Wang Zifu and the other four sat trembling in the hall. Cao Cao demanded, “Why did you not come?” Dong Cheng stammered, “My illness yet lingers.” Cao Cao said, “This is but worry for the state.” Turning, he ordered the guards to fetch Ji Ping. Dragged in before Dong Cheng, Ji Ping once again hurled curses at Cao Cao. Cao Cao accused, “You breathed poison against me—name your master!” Ji Ping spat, “I serve only Heaven’s will!” Cao Cao clenched his fists: “First you bit off one finger—now you lack but one more to swear by!” He had the doctor’s nine fingers cut away. Ji Ping said calmly, “My lips and tongue remain to damn you!” Furious, Cao Cao commanded that his tongue be severed. Ji Ping offered no resistance: “I die as ordered.” He bowed, spat at Cao Cao’s feet, and fell silent. It was the first month of Jian’an Year Five. An historian later wrote:
“In Han’s fading glory, one healer shone— Mi Ping vowed to slay the traitor’s throne. He died for Truth, though tortured and maimed, His name through ages forever proclaimed.”
Cao Cao, satisfied by Ji Ping’s fate, called forth Qin Qingtong. Dong Cheng, seeing him, shouted, “Seize this fugitive slave!” Cao Cao said, “He brought treason’s proof—who dares speak against me?” Dong Cheng protested, “Why heed a runaway servant’s word?” Cao Cao replied, “Wang Zifu and the others confessed—do you still deny?” He had the four ministers arrested and sent to Dong Cheng’s residence, where he personally searched Dong Cheng’s quarters and discovered the imperial sash-edict and the conspiracy petition. Smiling, Cao Cao decreed:
“By my orders, detain all of Dong Cheng’s household—noble and common alike. None shall escape.”
He then showed the edict and petition to his counsellors, plotting to depose Emperor Xian and enthrone a new sovereign:
“Lines in scarlet voice our vain hope, A single page of betrayal brings doom; What fate awaits the Son of Heaven Remains to break the final seal.”
What became of Emperor Xian and the fate of the Han court? That, dear reader, will be revealed in the next chapter…
